The chemical process of the NHW Vitrification System may be divided into two major steps. Although heat is used, no combustion or destruction to the constituents occur. The silica and alumina are used as matrix formers. They form the basis of the ceramic structure. The alkali is used to control process parameters and to assist in forming the matrix structure.
Metal helps determine product characteristics such as hardness, color and refractoriness.
The water is used for reactivity purposes. Inorganics do not react on a dry basis. Therefore the water is required to properly prepare the various inorganic constituents. The production capacity of a standard NHW Vitrification System is 3,000 tons per year. Larger capacities are built through multiple lines and combining storage requirements.