Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	Microwave Drying Characteristics of Impregnated Synroc Ceramic Microspheres [PDF]
AUTHORS	G.D. Sizgek and E. Sizgek 1997 32 3 171-179
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Abstract Microwave drying characteristics of simulated high level liquid waste (HLLW) impregnated Synroc ceramic microspheres have been investigated under various microwave power levels and moisture contents. For comparison, drying experiments in a convection oven and also with water saturated microspheres were carried out. At a given microwave power level, drying of water-saturated samples was quicker than simulated HLLW-impregnated samples and showed different microwave drying characteristics. While the microwave drying of simulated waste impregnated microspheres produced a homogeneous distribution of the waste, convective drying of the waste impregnated microspheres resulted in segregation of waste components toward the external surfaces of the particles and was about ten times slower than microwave drying for the same level of power. Key Words: Microwave drying; nuclear waste; impregnation; titania-rich ceramic precursor