Development of in-can melting process and equipment, 1979 and 1980

Nonradioactive process testing continued with the in-can melter as part of an investigation into the applicability of this vitrification process to various calcined high level and incinerator ash radioactive wastes. How waste composition and canister fins affect in-can melter capacity and how waste composition affects glass quality were examined. Process performance proved to be generally satisfactory. Pilot scale in-can melter runs were performed with synthetic, nonradioactive, high level wastes to produce eight canisters of glass. The synthetic waste processed included high level wastes as well as transuranic ash waste. Full scale in-can melter runs using nonradioactive materials were also conducted, producing ten canisters of glass. In the full scale in-can melter furnace the baffles separating the six heating zones were removed because of baffle warping. A remotely operated section connecting the spray calciner to the canister was tested. Some problems were encountered with calcine plugging.