Process Consolidation Selection
Integral to the design of the waste form is the selection of the appropriate process technology. By selecting the appropriate process technology to suit the characteristics of both the waste and waste form, significant performance enhancements can be realized.
A key consideration is to select a process that puts minimal constraints on the waste form chemistry. Any constraint imposed by the consolidation technology on the waste form chemistry will result in a reduction in waste loading and process flexibility. For instance, Joule-heated melters not only have a restricted maximum operating temperature but also require the glass to have specific electrical resistivity and viscosity characteristics. So in addition to designing the glass to suit the waste stream, additional components need to be added to ensure it can be melted at the appropriate temperature and poured safely into a canister. Volatile losses are also a significant concern. The impact of these additional constraints is to significantly reduce the maximum achievable waste loading.