The V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute (part of the Rosatom State Corporation's Scientific Division) has tested a new installation for sealing waste into borosilicate glass using induction melting in a hot crucible. It will be useful for the isolation and safe storage of liquid radioactive waste.
The university explains that existing liquid radioactive waste dosing systems have been improved, and the crucible has been switched to two-zone heating, which has significantly increased the efficiency of the installation. The new installation also has an improved melt temperature control system to improve safety and process control.
This is the first installation in our country with a hot crucible for vitrifying liquid radioactive waste at an operating production facility. Unlike competing technologies, the hot crucible does not require large capital investments during operation and consumes four times less electricity. Currently, the installation is being prepared for commissioning into pilot operation.
The first operating installation for vitrifying liquid radioactive waste will be launched at the Siberian Chemical Combine.
Tests at the operating production facility have already shown an increase in productivity with maximum concentration of liquid radioactive waste dosed into the furnace. In the future, the technology and equipment can be used for vitrification of high-level waste from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.
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