The second melter at the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) Defense Waste Processing Facility has now processed twice as much radioactive waste as the plant’s now-retired first melter, according to a press release issued Monday.
The facility just over two decades ago began converting high-level radioactive waste stored at the Department of Energy facility in South Carolina into a glass form for storage. The melters combine the waste with borosilicate frit to produce the molten glass, which is deposited into stainless steel containers that are stored at SRS until a permanent storage facility is established, SRS said in the release.
The Defense Waste Processing Facility has produced close to 16 million pounds of molten glass since 1996: 1,229 canisters (5.2 million pounds) from Melter 1 and 2,678 canisters (10.4 million pounds, and counting) from Melter 2. The facility is close to 50 percent through processing of the SRS waste, which is expected to require 8,210 canisters.
Melter 1 shut down after seven years of operation. SRS cited a number of reasons for Melter 2’s longer lifespan, including an improved pour spout insert that prevents the spout from eroding and using “agitation bubblers” to provide an improved pour rate.
“Since beginning operations, DWPF has immobilized more than 58 million curies of radioactivity,” Jim Folk, DOE-Savannah River assistant manager for waste disposition,” said in the release. “DOE continues to ensure that waste is removed from the tanks[,] further reducing the risk posed by this high-level waste.”
Site liquid waste contractor Savannah River Remediation has a third melter, Melter 3, in storage for future use.
