Synthetic Mineral-Like Matrices for HLLW Solidification: Preparation by Induction Melter with a Cold Crucible (CCIM)

Abstract

A technique for solidification of high-level liquid wastes (HLLW) to obtain mineral-like forms through the use of water-cooled melters with direct induction heating of a melt (CCIM) has been developed at the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation VNIINM (SSC RF VNIINM).Mineral-like materials of different classes such as pyroxenes, pyrosilicates, garnets of the andradite group, titanosilicates and Synroc D were synthesized by the CCIM method at temperatures of 1250 – 1550°C.The preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of these materials indicate that the structures synthesized by the CCIM method have compositions that are identical to those of the corresponding natural analogs. The chemical durabilities of the synthesized materials upon their exposure to distilled water at 20°C have been determined.In addition to the investigation of solidification of liquid HLW, the CCIM method is examined and applied to the synthesis of mineral-like compositions involving simulated waste components (nonsoluble residues, ashes, and pulps) produced by the chemical and metallurgical manufacturing of fissile materials.

Induction melting in a cold crucible for immobilization of plutonium-containing wastes

“…This system is capable of removing radionuclides from the gas emissions with coefficient 105-106 (the gasscrubbing system gives a concentration 10-12 Ci/liter of/3-emitting aerosols (134,137Cs, l~ [7].…”