Method for noncontaminating solidification of radioactive waste materials

Patent · Tue May 13 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5567095

Kaufmann, F; Koschorke, H; Seiffert, H; Sienel, D; Weisenburger, S; Weiss, K

Method is disclosed for the solidification, in a manner which protects the environment against contamination, of waste materials obtained during reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel and/or breeder materials in a matrix of borosilicate glass. Highly radioactive solutions or slurries containing the waste materials in dissolved or suspended form are evaporated in a vessel in the presence of glass former substances until they are dry, the dry residue is calcinated and the calcinate is melted together with the glass formers while the waste gases are discharged to the environment. The waste liquid is obtained from a reprocessing system without pretreatment, is mixed with glass formers and a reduction agent and then is introduced in a controlled, continuous manner into the center of a borosilicate glass melt disposed in a melting crucible at a temperature in the region of 1000* to 1400* C. To form an island-like drying and calcinating zone on the surface of the melt while avoiding contact of the waste liquid with the walls of the crucible. A reducing atmosphere is formed and the presence of components in the waste gas which would radiologically and/or chemically contaminate the environment are substantially avoided.

• Assignee: Gesellschaft Fur Kernforschung Mbh (Germany, Federal Republic of)
• Patent Number(s): US 4202792
• OSTI ID: 5567095
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BOROSILICATE GLASS
BREEDER REACTORS
CALCINATION
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
EVAPORATION
FORMIC ACID
FUELS
GLASS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MELTING
MIXTURES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
PYROLYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
REDUCTION
REPROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLURRIES
SOLIDIFICATION
SPENT FUELS
SUSPENSIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING