Open AccessEnhanced Sulfate Management in HLW Glass Formulations VSL12R2540-1 REV 0
Author(s) -
Albert A. Kruger,
Ian L. Pegg,
Wing K. Kot,
Hao Gan,
Keith S. Matlack
Publication year - 2012
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1059479
Subject(s) - vitrification , sulfate , waste management , salt (chemistry) , sodium sulfate , phase (matter) , environmental science , chemistry , chemical engineering , materials science , engineering , metallurgy , sodium , organic chemistry , medicine , andrology
The Low Activity Waste (LAW) tanks that are scheduled to provide the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) with waste feeds contain significant amounts of sulfate. The sulfate content in the LAW feeds is sufficiently high that a separate molten sulfate salt phase may form on top of the glass melt during the vitrification process unless suitable glass formulations are employed and sulfate levels are controlled. Since the formation of the salt phase is undesirable from many perspectives, mitigation approaches had to be developed. Considerable progress has been made and reported by the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) in enhancing sulfate incorporation into LAW glass melts and developing strategies to manage and mitigate the risks associated with high-sulfate feeds