Effect of Feed Solids Content on LAW Melt Processing
The primary objective of this work was to collect data to support processing of Hanford LAW over a range of feed solids contents, extending both higher and lower than the present WTP baseline. Processing LAW at higher solids content has the potential to increase throughput and reduce the time required to process the inventory of LAW waste. Processing some LAW streams at lower than the WTP baseline solids contents may be a required condition for the direct feed approach due to the more limited pretreatment functionality and evaporation capability. A high waste loading glass formulation developed in earlier work for an LAW composition specified by ORP was used for this work. The glass composition selected for testing is ORPLA20, which is based on LAW tank AN-105; the glass has a waste loading of 31.4 wt% and an Na2O content of 24.0 wt%.