Operation of the Pamela high-level waste vitrification facility

Since 1985, HLLW from the former Eurochemic Reprocessing Plant in Mol/Belgium has been vitrified successfully in the Pamela Plant. After a demonstration campaign of eight months, during which the pre-set goals were fully met, the plant has been further used on an industrial basis. The industrial exploitation is made according to an initial program and in the frame of a Belgian-German joint project. The present paper describes the status after 4.5 years of operation. Approximately 603 m3 have already been vitrified and there still remain some 247 m3 to be treated. On the basis of the present Plant Performance the hope is justified to finish the vitrification ahead the original planning. The melter has been remotely exchanged, the relevant data are given in the paper. Conditioning of secondary solid waste and dismantling of the ceramic melters are subject of a program scheduled after termination of the vitrification campaign. (orig.)