Bethesda, Md., October 29, 2007 – AREVA was recently awarded a technology demonstration contract
for an estimated value of $5.2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the auspices of
the Advanced Remediation Technology (ART) program.
For the contract, AREVA will evaluate the performance of its Cold Crucible Induction Melter (CCIM) as
applied to the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), located at the DOE’s Savannah River Site
(SRS). This contract follows an earlier one for the first phase of the ART program, for which AREVA
demonstrated the feasibility and benefit of integrating the CCIM melter onto the DWPF facility.
CCIM is a compact, water-cooled device that vitrifies radioactive waste by combining it with sand-like
glass additives and then heating the mixture until it becomes molten. The liquid glass-waste is poured
into stainless steel canisters to cool and harden. The result is a highly stable “glassified” waste form,
internationally recognized as meeting or exceeding certification requirements for permanent waste
disposal in a geologic repository.
During extensive development, testing, and implementation phases, this technology showed several
significant advantages, among which are the following:
• Ability to accept and process a wide range of materials;
• Operation at much higher temperatures than with currently used melters, leading to a
reduction in waste volume resulting in fewer glass canisters needing storage – an advantage
with respect to limited repository space; and
• Increased equipment availability, resulting in a higher rate of throughput in less time.
Bill Gallo, in charge of AREVA’s DOE business, said about the contract, “AREVA’s CCIM is proven
technology that is ready for deployment. By increasing the amount of waste that can be processed and
reducing waste volume, the CCIM will respond, we believe, to the DOE’s desire to implement
technologies that can lead to breakthroughs in how the Department addresses its cleanup mission.”
Through the ART program, DOE funds demonstrations of new technologies that address significant
cleanup challenges at DOE sites, including Hanford, Savannah River, and the Idaho National
Laboratory.
More about AREVA
As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector,
AREVA’s 5,000 American energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future
of the electricity market. With 40 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2006,
AREVA, through its subsidiaries, combines homegrown leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven
track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in
the 21st century’s greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting
responsibly towards future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
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