Study on plasma melting treatment of crucibles, ceramic filter elements, asbestos, and fly ash

Hoshi, Akiko ; Nakashio, Nobuyuki; Nakashima, Mikio

The Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) decided to adopt an advanced volume reduction program for low-level radioactive wastes. In this program, inorganic wastes are converted to stable glassy products suitable for disposal by a plasma melting system in the Waste Volume Reduction Facilities (WVRF). In this paper, plasma melting test of crucibles,ceramic filter elements,asbestos,and simulated fly ashes were carried out as a part of technical support for WVRF. The plasma melting treatment was applicable for crucibles and asbestos because homogeneous and glassy products were obtained by controlling of waste and loading condition. It was found that an oxidizing slag is needed for effective melting condition of ceramic filter elements with a plasma torch with inert gas, and controlling of slag components have the potential to stabilize volatile metals such as Zn, Pb in a solidified product in the melting test of simulated fly ash.