MELT RATE TESTING FOR SLUDGE BATCH 6

Abstract

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to provide Savannah River Remediation (SRR) with a recommended frit composition for Sludge Batch 6 (SB6) to optimize processing at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF). This report discusses the results of a series of melt rate experiments that were completed in support of the frit recommendation and the preparation of the feed used in the testing. The objective of the work was to identify the impact of individual frit component concentrations on melt rate for both SB6 and for DWPF sludge batches in general. The dry fed, Melt Rate Furnace (MRF) was used to compare the relative melt rate performance of several candidate frit compositions. Sludge composition projection changes and variation led to the fabrication and testing of several new frits along with Frit 418, which is currently utilized at the DWPF for Sludge Batch 5 (SB5) processing. The melt rate testing results show that changes in the frit composition, such as increases in B{sub 2}O{sub 3} or Li{sub 2}O concentrations, can provide a faster melt rate for SB6 relative to Frit 418. However, the composition of SB6 as currently projected (February 2010 blended with a 40 inch heel of SB5)more » does not allow for significant changes in frit composition relative to Frit 418 without compromising the projected operating windows. Only one of the new frits tested, Frit IS7, remains viable for SB6 processing based on the current composition projections. The melt rate results also demonstrated that a low Na{sub 2}O concentration frit (particularly Frit IS7) can provide reasonable melt rates if the concentrations of Li{sub 2}O or B{sub 2}O{sub 3} in the frit are increased. The measured melt rate for Frit IS7 with the simulated SB6 feed was about 15% faster than that for Frit 418. The projected operating windows for Frits 418 and IS7 are very similar with the current SB6 projections. However, waste loadings with Frit IS7 are limited by low viscosity predictions, while waste loadings with Frit 418 are limited by predictions of nepheline crystallization. It is recommended that SRNL reevaluate the final SB6 composition once washing and blending are complete to determine whether a change in frit composition could provide improved operating windows, improved sulfate solubility, and/or increased waste throughput.« less