Open AccessMicrowave waste processing technology overview
Author(s) -
R.D. Petersen
Publication year - 1993
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/120858
Subject(s) - waste management , environmental science , process development , process engineering , materials processing , radioactive waste , container (type theory) , microwave , engineering , pound (networking) , computer science , mechanical engineering , telecommunications , world wide web
Applications using microwave energy in the chemical processing industry have increased within the last ten years. Recently, interest in waste treatment applications process development, especially solidification, has grown. Microwave waste processing offers many advantages over conventional waste treatment technologies. These advantages include a high density, leach resistant, robust waste form, volume and toxicity reduction, favorable economics, in-container treatment, good public acceptance, isolated equipment, and instantaneous energy control. The results from the {open_quotes}cold{close_quotes} demonstration scale testing at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons facility are described. Preliminary results for a transuranic (TRU) precipitation sludge indicate that volume reductions of over 80% are achievable over the current immobilization process. An economic evaluation performed demonstrated cost savings of $11.68 per pound compared to the immobilization process currently in use on wet sludge