System for disposing of radioactive waste
A system is described for disposing of radioactive waste material from nuclear reactors by solidifying the liquid components to produce an encapsulated mass adapted for disposal by burial. The method contemplates mixing of radioactive waste materials, with or without contained solids, with a setting agent capable of solidifying the waste liquids into a free standing hardened mass, placing the resulting liquid mixture in a container with a proportionate amount of a curing agent to effect solidification under controlled conditions, and thereafter burying the container and contained solidified mixture. The setting agent is a water-extendable polymer consisting of a suspension of partially polymerized particles of urea formaldehyde in water, and the curing agent is sodium bisulfate. Methods are disclosed for dewatering slurry-like mixtures of liquid and particulate radioactive waste materials, such as spent ion exchange resin beads, and for effecting desired distribution of non-liquid radioactive materials in the central area of the container prior to solidification, so that the surrounding mass of lower specific radioactivity acts as a partial shield against higher radioactivity of the non-liquid radioactive materials. The methods also provide for addition of non-radioactive filler materials to dilute the mixture and lower the overall radioactivity of the hardened mixture to desired Lowest Specific Activity counts. An inhibiting agent is added to the liquid mixture to adjust the solidification time, and provision is made for adding additional amounts of setting agent and curing agent to take up any free water and further encapsulate the hardened material within the container.
- Assignee:
- Nuclear Engineering Co., Inc.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4056362
- Application Number:
- TRN: 78-007307
- OSTI ID:
- 5246292
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 27 Jun 1974
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Methods of disposing of radioactive waste
Radioactive waste disposal
Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SOLIDIFICATION
MANAGEMENT
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage