HOT DEMONSTRATIONS OF NUCLEAR WASTE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Several types of nuclear-waste-treatment technologies are currently be ing demonstrated at Argonne National Laboratory-West, ranging from com plex, high-level waste-form production to a relatively simple encapsul ation technique for the immobilization of mixed hazardous/radioactive waste. Typically, the demonstrations involve a cooperative arrangement among the organizations responsible for developing the processes, ope rating the facilities, and conducting the test programs. By summarizin g the common approach taken for demonstrations of three very different waste-treatment processes, this article illustrates the necessity of process demonstrations using typical radioactive waste streams in the development of industrially viable waste-treatment technologies.