Vitrification of a high-level iron-aluminate wastes simulator in a cold crucible

An increase of the water content of a simulator of sludges from the test area at the Savannah River Plant (USA) which are vitrified in a cold crucible with inner diameter 236 mm from 50 to 70 wt % results in a substantial reduction of the mass loading rate of the sludge, production of molten glass, and specific production of the glass product. The specific energy expenditures on vitrification increase by more than a factor of 2. The formation of an undesirable nepheline phase is observed in samples containing more than 60 wt % wastes simulator. The chemical stability of the glass product remains high even when its wastessimulator content is 65 wt %.