The U.S. Department of Energy is working to immobilize excess plutonium at its Savannah River Site (SRS) as part of a two prong approach for the disposition of weapons usable plutonium. The Plutonium Immobilization process involves the disposition of excess plutonium by incorporation into ceramic pucks that are then pressed and sintered. This process reduces the pucks to roughly 2-5/8 inches in diameter by 1 inch thick. Due to the radiation levels and contamination associated with the plutonium material, the sintering process must be fully automated and contained within nuclear material gloveboxes.
In the past retort type furnaces had been used for glovebox applications, however, a requirement of the Plutonium Immobilization process prevented the use of this type of furnace. Process development work determined that puck sintering temperatures in excess of 1300 degrees C are required for proper form development. As such the retort type furnace was abandoned as a candidate.
In need of a solution, research was conducted which identified bottom loaded furnace technology as the best available to meet the glovebox application and processing needs. Several furnace manufacturers that could supply bottom loaded furnaces were identified, but only one was chosen. CM Furnace had supplied furnaces for glovebox use in the past. Our competitive edge contributed to our being contracted to supply a custom built, automated, bottom loaded furnace to meet the glovebox application at hand.
For more on the furnace specification and glovebox considerations please visit our site at www.cmfurnaces.com.
In the past retort type furnaces had been used for glovebox applications, however, a requirement of the Plutonium Immobilization process prevented the use of this type of furnace. Process development work determined that puck sintering temperatures in excess of 1300 degrees C are required for proper form development. As such the retort type furnace was abandoned as a candidate.
In need of a solution, research was conducted which identified bottom loaded furnace technology as the best available to meet the glovebox application and processing needs. Several furnace manufacturers that could supply bottom loaded furnaces were identified, but only one was chosen. CM Furnace had supplied furnaces for glovebox use in the past. Our competitive edge contributed to our being contracted to supply a custom built, automated, bottom loaded furnace to meet the glovebox application at hand.
For more on the furnace specification and glovebox considerations please visit our site at www.cmfurnaces.com.
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