The plasma torch for the vitrification of low-level radioactive waste

Summary form only given. A problem arousing international concern is the long-term storage and disposal of radioactive wastes. Solving this problem is particularly important because of the dangers of improper storage, both for the present and the future. It is essential that radioactive waste be stored in a compact and stable form. Plasma torch technology provides a possible solution for radioactive material storage. During the past decade, plasma torches have been developed that produce temperatures as high as 25,000/spl deg/F. At these temperatures any substance is vitrified, i.e., reduced in volume and transformed into a glassy obsedian whose leachability is many times less than bottle glass, that can be safely contained and placed in long-term storage. High temperature plasma torches, the hottest members belonging to the family of plasma are heaters, are efficient devices for reducing matter to its constituent elements but also the most complex in theory and operation. Characterization of the high energy density plasma instability that produces the intense heat, ranges from MHD computer modeling to stimulated Raman scattering by laser diagnostics. This paper describes the history of the plasma torch and the possible use of a 1-megawatt reverse polarity torch in a low-level radioactive waste testbed. Issues such as torch diagnostics, control, and the monitoring of radioactive gaseous, aqueous, solid, and plasma effluent streams are discussed.