Plasma Technology

Millimeter-Wave Nuclear Waste Glass Melter Measurements

New real-time sensors for characterizing molten glass in high-level waste (HLW) and low activity waste (LAW)

Test set-up at MIT PSFC.

melters are under development. Millimeter-wave technology is being applied to the simultaneous measurement of temperature, conductivity, and viscosity for the first time. This new sensor technology will make possible better process control to improve reliability and efficiency of waste glass melters. Also, it will provide new data for bridging the gap between theoretical glass melt models and their relationship to melter performance. Robust waveguide interfacing with the melter will make possible reliable in situ monitoring of molten glass properties at the surface and throughout the glass volume. Laboratory studies are being undertaken over a wide range of waste glass chemistries to enable an understanding of the relationship between the melt chemistry and the millimeter-wave measurable characteristics. A basic goal is to characterize glass melts in situ so that data will represent the actual melt’s behavior. The work is closely coupled to the needs of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), and vitrification efforts at Hanford, Oak Ridge, and Idaho sites. This research is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).

For more information:

• Woskov, P.P., Sundaram, S.K., Daniel, Gene, Millimeter-Wave Technologies and Techniques for Monitoring High Temperature Processes, 2004 Asia Pacific Microwave Conference New Delhi, India December 18, 2004.
• Millimeter-Wave Monitoring of Nuclear Waste Glass Melts - An Overview by P. P. Woskov, J. S. Machuzak, and P. Thomas, S. K. Sundaram, and William E. Daniel, Jr.

To learn more about this technology contact:

Paul Woskov, Plasma Science & Fusion, Center Massachusetts Institute of Technology

S.K. Sundaram, Batelle Pacific National Laboratory

Gene Daniel, Savannah River National Laboratory

Other Division Research:

Plasmatron

Microwave Continuous Emissions Monitor for Metals

High Power Electrodeless Plasma Torch