2. Radioactive effluent vitrification processes

The French vitrification process is based on small induction-heated metal furnaces, which are modular and flexible in operation, and specially designed to meet the operating and maintenance requirements associated with handling highly radioactive products. Other countries have preferred to adopt and adapt technologies traditionally used in the glass industry, for which there is a broad base of experience and knowledge: ceramic furnaces with electrodes heated by the Joule effect, operating continuously.

The more recent technology of direct induction furnaces in cold crucibles, already used in the glass industry, also opens up promising prospects for the vitrification of nuclear waste.