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Thermal decomposition study for effective management of low level radioactive combustible solids

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Abstract

Plasma pyrolysis has been proposed as a viable technology for reducing volume of low level combustible radioactive wastes. Thermal analysis (TG–EGA) was done on simulated waste under flowing argon and oxygen atmospheres to determine percentage mass loss and to identify evolved gases before proceeding with plasma-based processing. Subsequently, the wastes were treated in a resistance furnace to measure mass and volume change by simulating pyrolysis conditions. XRD was used to examine the residue obtained from the laboratory experiments. Based on these findings, engineering scale plasma pyrolysis-based incineration was studied. Results and observations are discussed in the present work.

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Acknowledgements

Authors appreciate with gratitude the encouragement they received from Dr G. Sugilal, Dr D. V. Udupa and Dr. A. K. Tyagi during the technical research. Discussion and inputs from Dr. Acharya, Dr. A. K. Mishra, Dr. Raman K Mishra during the research work; Dr K. Bhattacharya, Dr A. S. Pente during exhaust flue gas sample analysis and contribution of members of plasma system operation team during the engineering sclae experimental work are deeply acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Homi Bhabha National Institute, 400094, Mumbai, India

    Keyur C. Pancholi, R. Mishra, T. Vincent & C. P. Kaushik

  2. Waste Management Division, BARC, 400085, Mumbai, India

    Keyur C. Pancholi & C. P. Kaushik

  3. Chemistry Division, BARC, 400085, Mumbai, India

    R. Mishra & S. Kolay

  4. Atomic & Molecular Physics Division, BARC, 400085, Mumbai, India

    Param Jeet Singh

  5. Process Development Division, BARC, Mumbai, India

    T. Vincent

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  1. Keyur C. Pancholi
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Pancholi, K.C., Mishra, R., Kolay, S. et al. Thermal decomposition study for effective management of low level radioactive combustible solids. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 1309–1322 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08210-7

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