Abstract
The DEM&MELT in-can melter is being developed and qualified to treat waste arising from decommissioning and dismantling operations. The main characteristics of this robust, simple and versatile in situ vitrification process are presented hereafter: • Suitable for high or intermediate level waste. • Heated by a simple and robust resistance furnace. • Offering a proper homogeneity to the melted mixture. • Suitable for solid or liquid waste, including zeolites and sludge. • Flexible enough to accommodate uncertainties on waste composition. • Designed in order to produce a small amount of secondary waste. • Implementing proven technological solutions from French high level waste vitrification facilities. • Requiring low investment and operation costs. Regarding these features, the in-can process has been deemed as an appropriate tool for the vitrification of the Fukushima water treatment secondary waste (mineral adsorbents and sludge loaded with Cs and Sr). The evaluation of the In-can process for Fukushima waste is a project led by Orano, CEA and ANADEC. This paper presents the results of this project from the scenarios and glass formulation studies to the process implementation feasibility evaluation. The glass properties and waste loading will be in particular highlighted.
