Papers by Keyword: Cold Crucible

Abstract: The physics of the interaction between a liquid metals and an externally applied magnetic field is analysed starting from the basic equations of the phenomena involved: electromagnetic fields, fluid dynamics, viscosity and surface tension. A set of general equations is deduced to describe a levitation melting system. The equations are progressively simplified in order to highlight the most important contributions to the phenomena. The basis criteria for the design and operation of a cold crucible system are then described and together with some of the experimental results obtained.

Abstract: FSUE Radon deals with collection, transportation, treatment, conditioning, and interim storage and final disposal of conditioned low-and intermediate-level radioactive wastes (LILW) as well as radiation monitoring, decontamination and environmental remediation of Moscow and Moscow area. Liquid LILW with high salinity is subject to vitrification at the Radon full scale vitrification plant using a cold crucible inductive melting (CCIM) at temperatures of 1150-1200 °C. The bench-scale cold crucible based unit is used for research works and feasibility study on new promising ceramic and glass-ceramic waste forms based on incinerator slag and ash. Solid and liquid organic LILWs are treated in a plasma shaft furnace with liquid slagging at temperatures of 1400-1500 °C. Molten slag is solidified in containers yielding a glass-crystalline material with high chemical durability and strong mechanical integrity suitable for safe long-term storage and disposal in both interim repositories and underground sites. One of the promising methods for LILW treatment is application of thermochemical reactions – self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) with high energy release which is considered as a potential technology for treatment of spent ion-exchange resins, silts and grounds and some specific wastes.

Abstract: In order to get solar grade silicon, large cold crucible has been used in an induction heat furnace. By controlling the relative location of the crucible and coils, directional solidification was realized. More than 200 kg multi-crystalline silicon ingot was produced in a batch with short work time. The removal rate of most metal impurities was high, typically higher than 99% for transition metals like iron. Non-metallic elements such as boron and phosphorus could not be removed efficiently because of larger equilibrium segregation coefficient. The concentration of phosphorus was one third of the feedstock due to the vaporization in the melting process. The distribution of impurities agreed with the solidification principle. Quartzes and carbon was not used, which ensured silicon prevent from the contamination. Cooperated with other methods, large scale of solar grade silicon was produced.

Abstract: Effects of parameters on the stability of silicon melt pool in cold crucible continuous casting were discussed. The results indicate that the extinguishing of induction heating is mainly caused by the side wall feeding, low superheat degree and volume of the pool. The hot melt splashes are caused by the higher input power and uncompletely melted silicon of the dome top surface. The pool was shown to be stabilized as the raw materials were fed in the center area of the dome surface, the superheat degree and volume of the pool were properly increased, the pool was controlled in the effective heating range of the coil and the input power was set properly

Abstract: The effects of technical parameters on initial silicon melting in cold crucible continuous casting were studied. These parameters include the materials, the shape and the position of the base, the mass of the silicon that set on the top of the base. Through experimental and theoretical analysis, the optimized parameters were finally given: the base graphite with obconical shaped should be put at the level of the second turn of the coil, and the initial silicon with 10g should be put on the base. The mechanism of these parameters affecting on the initial melting are discussed and revealed.

Abstract: In this study, Ti46Al0.5W0.5Si ingots were directionally solidified by a near-rectangular cold crucible under different process parameters. These process parameters include the electromagnetic stirring, the crucible configuration and the molten drop, all of them have important effect on the S/L interface. The effects of the parameters on the solid/liquid (S/L) interface morphology were investigated, and the mechanisms of the parameters influencing the S/L interface were discussed and revealed. Results showed that the typical S/L interface of the ingots was presented as a curved ‘W-type’ shape. The uneven temperature distribution in the front of the solidified interface is the main reason for a curved S/L interface. Further, the requirements for obtaining a planar S/L interface in the process of cold crucible directional solidification were given, which provided a guide for the future work.

Abstract: This paper gives a detailed study of temperature distribution on Ti46Al0.5W0.5Si alloy directionally solidified by cold crucible. Based on experiment and numerical calculation, the heating process under different power was investigated, and the operating efficiency of cold crucible was roughly calculated. Further, the temperature field of Ti46Al0.5W0.5Si alloy under high power was numerically calculated, the finite element model predicted the temperature distribution at different moment. The results give a significance guide on cold crucible directional solidification.

Abstract: This paper has systematically studied the evolving process of column crystals of Ti46Al0.5W0.5Si alloys that is directionally solidified by rectangular cold crucible. The results showed that: the solid/liquid interface presented convex to the liquid metal due to the complicated influences by cold crucible. Overheating temperature and new crystal nucleus had great effects on the growth continuity and the stability of column crystals. Furthermore, the precipitation phases have been studied. As a result, the methods for controlling growing process of columnar crystals have been submitted, which are playing a critical role in optimizing experimental parameters and devising the construction-elements of cold crucible.

Abstract: Cold crucible inductive melting is a promising method for production of high-temperature materials. The method is based on direct heating of conductive materials by high-frequency (105-107 Hz) electromagnetic field from an external source. Application of the CCIM to production of vitreous borosilicate and alumino/iron phosphate and ceramic waste forms such as Synroc and its varieties and pyrochlore, murataite and garnet-based ceramics has been successfully demonstrated. Currently a full-scale low level waste vitrification plant based on a 418 mm inner diameter cold crucibles energized from a 1.76MHz/160 kW generators is under operation at SIA Radon. This plant was used for demonstration of feasibility of cold crucible vitrification of Savannah River Site high-iron and high iron/aluminum high level wastes. Numerous ceramic and glass ceramic materials containing high level and actinide waste surrogates such as actinide and actinide/rare earth fractions of high level waste have been successfully produced in the Radon lab- and bench-scale cold crucible based units operated at 5.28 and 1.76 MHz. Large-scale cold crucibles may be applied for vitrification of liquid and solid low and high level wastes whereas small-scale cold crucible may be efficiently used for immobilization of actinide-bearing waste generated from advanced nuclear fuel cycle reprocessing.

Abstract: The cold crucible technology first developed for the treatment of the high level fission products can also be used for the direct treatment of intermediate level wastes. In this case, the wastes can be under the states of liquids or solids. The first experiments carried out for the direct treatment of ionic exchange resins emphasised the requirement of very high temperature on the surface of the glass. When this surface is to cold, the unperfected oxidation lead to a glass containing inclusion such as metallic compounds coming from the reduction of species contained in the waste. Thus, the quality of the glass could be not enough to meet with some specific requirements for long term storage. For few years, the Laboratory of the Innovative Processes has been studied the capability of a cold crucible to involved plasma torches ensuring the high temperature required for a complete oxidation of a large composition of waste. The developments and the assessment of different technological ways lead to build a cold crucible fitted with a bottom inductor together with twin plasma torches above the glass bath. This is the SHIVA process. The researches carried out on this innovative technology have shown the high efficiency of the combination for the treatment of a large variety of solid wastes. The oxidation is complete and the produced glass can be easily poured in a canister. This innovative process provides new perspective of treatment for a large variety of intermediate level waste stored on the ground of nuclear facilities.