Once decommissioning begins, it is expected that large amount of radioactive wastes will be produced in a short period of time. The expected amount of radioactive wastes from Kori unit 1 NPP are approximately 80,000 drums (base on 200 L). By minimizing the amount of radioactive wastes generated through decontamination and reduction, KHNP has set the final target for the amount of radioactive wastes to be delivered to the disposal site at approximately 14,500 drums. Here, plasma torch melting technology is an essential technology for radioactive wastes treatment during nuclear power plants decommissioning and operation, because of its large volume reduction effects and the diversity of disposable wastes. KEPCO KPS was able to secure experience in operating Plasma Torch Melter (PTM) by conducting a research service for ‘development of plasma torch melting system advancement technology’ at KHNP-CRI. This study will compare kilo and Mega-Watt class PTM, largely categorized into facility configurations, operating parameters, and waste treatment. Based on this study, it would be desirable to operate PTM with approximate capacity according to the frequency and amount of waste production, and suggest volume for a kilo and Mega-watt class plasma torch in the melting furnace respectively. This plays to its strengths for both a kilo and Mega-watt class PTM.

KHNP-CRI has developed small-capacity and Mega-Watt Class PTM (Plasma Torch Melter) for the purpose of reducing the volume of radioactive waste and immobilizing or solidifying radioactive materials. About 1 MW PTM is a treatment technology that operates a plasma torch and puts drumshaped waste into a melter and radioactive waste in the form of slag is discharged into a waste container. The small-capacity PTM is a treatment technology that operates a plasma torch and puts small amounts of radioactive waste by directly putting it into the melter through a waste input machine. Mega-Watt Class PTM was able to inject radioactive waste in drums, so it was disposed of without backloging. On the other hand, The small-capacity PTM put radioactive waste without a package, and the waste input was blocked. If even small-capacity PTM put radioactive waste in the form of small packages such as drums, it is expected that various types of radioactive waste can be processed for a long time. Packaging also reduces the risk of radioactive contamination.

A plasma torch is a kind of equipment that utilizes an electric arc to dissociate a gas and transfer an electric energy to the gas to generate very high temperature flame. KHNP-CRI has been developed the Plasma Torch Melter (PTM) to reduce radioactive waste disposal volumes and drop the radiation level of wastes. As you guess, there is required condition for proper start-up operation like current, voltage, plasma gas flow, cooling water flow, temperature in melter and so on. Thus, the optimum start-up operation condition of plasma torch will be estimated experimentally in this paper.

KHNP-CRI has developed Mega-Watt Class PTM (Plasma Torch Melter) for the purpose of reducing the volume of radioactive waste and immobilizing or solidifying radioactive materials. About 1 MW PTM is a treatment technology that operates a plasma torch and puts drum-shaped waste into a melter and radioactive waste in the form of slag is discharged into a waste container. Since only the overflowing slag is discharged from the melter, the discharge is intermittent. Therefore, solidification occurs in the process of discharging the melt. It is difficult to accumulate evenly in the waste container, and there is also an empty space. Solid radioactive waste must be disposed of to meet the acceptance criteria for radioactive waste. Plasma-treated solid waste raised concerns about the requirements. The waste solidification output in a slag container gave us some concerns for the waste package’s solidification and encapsulation requirements. The plasma-treated solid waste process to meet the acceptance criteria will be cost and need time consuming. Thus, a induction heating will be introduced to meet solidification requirements and test criteria of the solidification waste for the waste package disposal.

플라즈마토치 용융로에 있어서 내화물의 보수를 최소화하고 용융물의 배출을 원활하게 하기 위해서는 처리대상 폐기물의 물 성을 충분히 고려하여야 한다. 원전에서 발생되는 비가연성 방사성폐기물 중 많은 비중을 차지하고 있는 콘크리트 조각, 유 리, 모래 등에 대한 화학적 조성비를 조사하여 보면 산성산화물이 염기성산화물에 비해 압도적으로 많은 비중을 차지하고 있 으므로 용융 시 염기도가 매우 낮은 산성 슬래그가 된다. 이 용융슬래그는 유동도가 낮아서 용융물의 배출특성이 좋지 않으 며 내화물에 침식을 유발시키는 주된 요인이 된다. 경사형 구조의 측면 출탕구를 가진 플라즈마토치 용융로의 경우, 구조상 출탕 후 일정량의 금속성 용융물이 항상 용융로 내부 바닥과 출탕구에 남게 된다. 비중차에 의해 비금속 용융슬래그는 금속 성 용융물 상부에 위치하게 되며 혼합형 플라즈마토치를 이행형 운전모드로 가동하게 되면 금속성 용융물과 비금속 용융물 이 동시에 용융되므로 비금속 용융슬래그의 온도는 금속 용융온도 이상으로 유지가 된다. 내화물의 수명 향상을 위해 용융로 내부의 온도와 용융물과 접촉하는 부위와 접촉되지 않는 부위를 구별하여 내화물의 특성을 주지하고 가장 적합한 내화물을 부위별로 선정하였다. 산성 내화물과 염기성 내화물이 인접하지 않도록 하고 용융슬래그에 대한 저항성을 높이도록 하였다.