A fluidized-bed incineration facility has been designed for installation at the Rocky Flats Plant to develop and demonstrate the process for the combustion of transuranic waste. The unit capacity will be about 82 kg/hr of combustible waste. The combustion process will utilize in situ neutralization of acid gases generated in the process. The equipment design is based on data generated on a pilot scale unit and represents a scale-up factor of nine. Building modifications are complete and equipment installation has begun.

The conceptual design of a commercial LMFBR (Target Plant) and its NSSS capital cost have been developed in support of the United Engineers and Constructors Contract EN-78-C-02-4954 with the Department of Energy. The objective of this work is to provide the Department of Energy/Office of Program Planning and Analysis - Nuclear Energy Programs with periodic updates of technical, capital cost, fuel cycle cost, and operating and maintenance cost information. This effort supports Task 3B of the UE and C's Phase I Energy Economic Data Base (EEDB) Program. Past estimates of LMFBR capital costs have generally predicted that these costs would be higher than those of a comparably sized LWR, primarily due to the more demanding technology associated wih higher temperatures and the large number of engineered systems. The LMFBR, because of its low fuel cycle costs, can tolerate a capital cost premium relative to thermal reactors. The key issues, therefore, are: the allowable LMFBR cost premium, and the steps necessary to reduce the capital cost below the projected allowable cost premium for a safe and reliable plant.

A preliminary evaluation of methods for the salt waste and waste water streams and recycle preparation problems was completed. A feasibility study for removing actinides from synthetic salt waste showed that a bidentate organophosphorus extractant is the most efficient for actinide removal. The evaluation of adsorbents for removing detergents and anions from waste water suggests the use of a combination of non-ionic and a strong base ion exchange resin for best results. Evaluation of leaching and dissolution methods for the recovery of actinides from combustible waste (incinerator ash) was continued. Two promising recovery methods are: (1) reaction with cerium(IV) in nitric acid to solubilize carbon and actinide oxides, and (2) fusion with carbonate--nitrate mixtures. Silica proved to be a problem. If dissolved, it interferes with subsequent actinide recovery by forming polysilicic acid upon acidification. If not solubilized, silica-encapsulated actinide oxides may not be contacted by the dissolvent. Pretreatment of ash by refluxing with greater than or equal to 6M sodium hydroxide appears to remove silica, simplifying subsequent recovery steps.