Societe Generale Pour Les Techniques Nouvelles S.g.n.

Philippe Kalousdian

Patrick Cantin

The aim of the present invention is a process for preparing a mineral matrix by melting, which is implemented according to the method of direct cold crucible induction melting. The method employs a step for initiating the melting. During the initiation step, a conductive mineral load is generated, by introduction of constituent elements of the matrix, into a bath of a conductive liquid, brought by induction to a suitable temperature, in the cold crucible. The intervening conductive liquid has the property of being a liquid and an electric conductor at a temperature between &thgr; of less than 600&deg; C., advantageously of between 100 and 500&deg; C., and a temperature &thgr; at least equal to the temperature at which the constituent elements of the matrix melt to generate the matrix. The conductive liquid is advantageously a molten sodium hydroxide bath. The preparation of such a glass matrix is advantageously implemented within the context of a method of vitrifying radioactive waste materials.

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Issy les Moulineaux, France

Philippe Kalousdian