Conversion of batch to molten glass, I: Volume expansion

Abstract

Batches designed to simulate nuclear high-level waste glass were compressed into pellets that were heated at 5 K/min and photographed. Three types of batches were prepared, each with different amounts of nitrates and carbonates. The all-nitrate batches were prepared with varying amounts of sucrose. The mixed nitrate–carbonate batches were prepared with silica particles ranging in size from 5 to 195 μm. One batch containing only carbonates was also tested. Sucrose addition had little effect on expansion, while the size of silica was very influential. Sucrose addition reduced primary foam for batches containing 5-μm silica, but had no effect on batches containing larger particles. Excessive amounts of sucrose increased secondary foam. The 5-μm grains had the strongest effect, causing both primary and secondary foam to be generated, whereas only secondary foam was produced in batches with grains of 45 μm and larger. We suggest that the viscosity of the melt and the amount of gas evolved are the main influences on foam production. As more gas is produced in the melt and as the glass becomes less viscous, gas bubbles coalesce into larger cavities until the glass can no longer contain the bubbles and they burst, causing the foam to collapse.