Repair of a Melter Pour Spout Using an Expanding Ring

Abstract

An expanding ring was developed that provided remote repair of the pour spout for a radioactive waste vitrification melter. This passive device used gas pressure to expand a metal ring against the irregularly shaped pour spout wall. Laboratory modeling and testing were performed for proof of concept and optimization before final design and field deployment. The ring expanded radially more than 4.8 mm and successfully repaired the melter pour spout allowing continued glass pouring operation.