Results could lead to an increase in low activity waste glass production

RICHLAND, Wash. – Results of a recent EM Office of River Protection (ORP) effort to develop a test method and measure of the thermal properties of waste glasses show that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant’s Low Activity Waste Facility is adequately designed to allow for the cooling of hot glass in the containers.  

   Additionally, there is a basis to pursue the evaluation that could result in a more than twofold increase in the number of vitrified waste glass containers produced there each day.

   The study, commissioned after its associated presentation was selected as a semifinalist submission in ORP’s first Grand Challenge competition in 2013, shows that the current HVAC system is capable of meeting the design requirements of base operations and supporting the engineering evaluation that could result in the use of upgraded melters that would allow the creation of up to 50 metric tons of glass each day.   

   The HVAC system will be needed during the cooling process, after the waste glass is poured into stainless steel containers.  

   The current plan is to produce 30 metric tons of glass per day at full capacity. An increase would speed the overall vitrification mission and save a yet-determined amount of taxpayer money.   

   ORP glass scientist Albert Kruger and engineer Ricky Bang submitted the paper to the Grand Challenge and oversaw the resulting work.   

   While there have been many studies on thermal properties of glasses, explained Kruger, few studies have been performed for glasses used in vitrifying waste.  

   “Difficulties involved in experimental measurements of these glasses have added significantly to the uncertainty in their thermal properties,” he said. “The objective of our study was to determine the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of representative high-level and low-activity waste glasses.

   “These properties are crucial inputs for heat load calculations to assess the impact of canister filling and cooling,” said Kruger. “As a result they will affect the design of the HVAC system of the Waste Treatment Plant.”

   These results will be used in the finite element analysis performed by mechanical engineering staff at Idaho National Laboratory that will allow the HVAC systems safety oversight employee to assess the full impact. ORP officials will review the study results and determine whether other aspects of the facility and vitrification process can support the upgraded melters.