Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers

Patent Application · Thu Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10128689

Jantzen, C M

This invention is comprised of a method for dissolving silica-rich fibers such as borosilicate fibers, fiberglass and asbestos to stabilize them for disposal. The method comprises (1) immersing the fibers in hot, five-weight-percent sodium hydroxide solution until the concentration of dissolved silica reaches equilibrium and a only a residue is left (about 48 hours), then immersing the residue in hot, five-weight-percent nitric acid until the residue dissolves (about 96 hours). After adjusting the pH of the dissolved fibers to be caustic, the solution can then be added to a waste vitrification stream for safe disposal. The method is useful in disposing contaminated HEME and HEPA filters.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7821653
• Application Number: ON: DE94007357; PAN: 7-821,653
• OSTI ID: 10128689
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
SILICA
DISSOLUTION
INVENTIONS
DESIGN
FIBERS
BOROSILICATE GLASS
ASBESTOS
FIBERGLASS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
NITRIC ACID
052002
400201
WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES