Sodium to sodium carbonate conversion process

Patent · Tue Oct 14 04:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:541724

Herrmann, S D

A method is described for converting radioactive alkali metal into a low level disposable solid waste material. The radioactive alkali metal is atomized and introduced into an aqueous caustic solution having caustic present in the range of from about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % to convert the radioactive alkali metal to a radioactive alkali metal hydroxide. The aqueous caustic containing radioactive alkali metal hydroxide and CO{sub 2} are introduced into a thin film evaporator with the CO{sub 2} present in an amount greater than required to convert the alkali metal hydroxide to a radioactive alkali metal carbonate, and thereafter the radioactive alkali metal carbonate is separated from the thin film evaporator as a dry powder. Hydroxide solutions containing toxic metal hydroxide including one or more metal ions of Sb, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Ag and Tl can be converted into a low level non-hazardous waste using the thin film evaporator of the invention. 3 figs.

• Research Organization: University of Chicago
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,678,240/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-670,134
• OSTI ID: 541724
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ALKALI METALS
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
BARIUM
BERYLLIUM
CADMIUM
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHROMIUM
EVAPORATION
HYDROLYSIS
LEAD
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MERCURY
NICKEL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SELENIUM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILVER
SODIUM CARBONATES
THALLIUM