Energy Efficient Melting of Glass for Nuclear Waste Immobilization Using Microwave Radiation

Abstract

A base glass suitable for immobilization of nuclear waste was prepared by melt quenching technique using microwave radiation as a heating source. Microwave absorption behavior of major raw materials was studied and presented. The glass was also prepared in a conventional resistance heating furnace using the same batch composition. X-ray diffraction analysis of the sample prepared in microwave furnace has confirmed glass formation, which is in a similar agreement with that of glass prepared in the conventional resistance heating furnace. Comparative property analysis indicated identical glass prepared in both the routes. In microwave furnace, total power consumption was found to be ˜5 kWh with the maximum power demand of 1.5 kW. Electrical power consumption in resistance heating furnace was studied in three different capacities of furnaces and compared with that of microwave furnace. Energy saving in the range ˜60% was recorded in microwave heating compared to resistance heating furnace. Further, the time needed to melt the glass in a microwave furnace was recorded less than 2 hr compared to 6–7 hr needed in resistance heating furnace. Thus, microwave heating yields identical glass consuming substantially less electrical power and time, signifying possibility of drastic reduction of cost in glass melting.