Abstract: A process for treating a halogen-containing waste material. The process provides a bath of molten glass containing a sacrificial metal oxide capable of reacting with a halogen in the waste material. The sacrificial metal oxide is present in the molten glass in at least a stoichiometric amount with respect to the halogen in the waste material. The waste material is introduced into the bath of molten glass to cause a reaction between the halogen in the waste material and the sacrificial metal oxide to yield a metal halide. The metal halide is a gas at the temperature of the molten glass. The gaseous metal halide is separated from the molten glass and contacted with an aqueous scrubber solution of an alkali metal hydroxide to yield a metal hydroxide or metal oxide-containing precipitate and a soluble alkali metal halide. The precipitate is then separated from the aqueous scrubber solution. The molten glass containing the treated waste material is removed from the bath as a waste glass.

Abstract: The invention is a process for direct conversion of solid radioactive waste, particularly spent nuclear fuel and its cladding, if any, into a solidified waste glass. A sacrificial metal oxide, dissolved in a glass bath, is used to oxidize elemental metal and any carbon values present in the waste as they are fed to the bath. Two different modes of operation are possible, depending on the sacrificial metal oxide employed. In the first mode, a regenerable sacrificial oxide, e.g., PbO, is employed, while the second mode features use of disposable oxides such as ferric oxide.

Abstract: A core-melt source reduction system for ending the progression of a molten core during a core-melt accident and resulting in a stable solid cool matrix. The system includes alternating layers of a core debris absorbing material and a barrier material. The core debris absorbing material serves to react with and absorb the molten core such that containment overpressurization and/or failure does not occur. The barrier material slows the progression of the molten core debris through the system such that the molten core has sufficient time to react with the core absorbing material. The system includes a provision for cooling the glass/molten core mass after the reaction such that a stable solid cool matrix results.

Abstract: A media assisted flow control valve having a main body provided with an inlet, and outlet, a chamber defining a flow passage connecting the inlet and the outlet, and a main valve seat around the flow passage, a main valve mounted in the chamber and having a seat surface engageable with the main valve seat to open and close the valve, the main valve having a flow passage therethrough and a pilot valve seat formed around the main valve flow passage, a pilot valve mounted for movement in the main valve, the pilot valve having a seat surface engageable with the pilot valve seat in the main valve to open and close the pilot valve, a pilot valve stem connected at one end with the pilot valve and extending at the other end exterior of the valve body, and a spring mounted on the pilot valve stem exterior of the valve body to bias the pilot valve and main valve closed.

Abstract: A globe valve (10) is disclosed which reduces the pressure drop across a soft seal (38) as it moves into and out of engagement with a seal surface (24) on the valve body (12) to reduce the wear effect of the pressure drop, particularly in control of gas flow with maximum pressures of approximately 6000 psi. A hard seal (28) is resiliently mounted on the valve stem (20) to engage the valve seal surface of the valve body prior to engagement of the soft seal to reduce the pressure drop across the soft seal.