Molten salt process vessel

Abstract

A molten salt process vessel for treatment of hazardous materials such as explosive or propellant waste, employing a tall, thin vessel with sufficient height that salt splash from the molten salt at the bottom of the vessel can be controlled and hard salt deposits are prevented from forming on the walls which restrict the gas outlet. The vessel, e.g. of cylindrical shape, has an increased height to diameter ratio in the range of about 7:1 to about 12:1, to give additional clearance. As an additional feature the vessel diameter can also be adjusted to create a 'necked-down' region just below the gas outlet duct adjacent the top of the vessel to increase product gas velocity of the gas containing entrained salt particles, to prevent sticking of such particles to the vessel walls and restricting the gas outlet duct. A further feature of the invention is the provision of baffles located just above the body of molten salt in the region where temperature is at or above the salt melting point, inhibiting salt splash to the top of the vessel, and permitting molten salt particles striking the baffles to drain back to the body of molten salt.