Method and apparatus for separating radionuclides from non-radionuclides

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867238

Harp, Richard J ^[1]

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1. 18746 Viking Way, Cerritos, CA 90701

In an apparatus for separating radionuclides from non-radionuclides in a mixture of nuclear waste, a vessel is provided wherein the mixture is heated to a temperature greater than the temperature of vaporization for the non-radionuclides but less than the temperature of vaporization for the radionuclides. Consequently the non-radionuclides are vaporized while the non-radionuclides remain the solid or liquid state. The non-radionuclide vapors are withdrawn from the vessel and condensed to produce a flow of condensate. When this flow decreases the heat is reduced to prevent temperature spikes which might otherwise vaporize the radionuclides. The vessel is removed and capped with the radioactive components of the apparatus and multiple batches of the radionuclide residue disposed therein. Thus the vessel ultimately provides a burial vehicle for all of the radioactive components of the process.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Harp, Richard J. (18746 Viking Way, Cerritos, CA 90701)
• Patent Number(s): US 4892684
• OSTI ID: 867238
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
separating
radionuclides
non-radionuclides
mixture
nuclear
waste
vessel
provided
heated
temperature
vaporization
consequently
vaporized
remain
solid
liquid
non-radionuclide
vapors
withdrawn
condensed
produce
flow
condensate
decreases
heat
reduced
prevent
spikes
otherwise
vaporize
removed
capped
radioactive
components
multiple
batches
radionuclide
residue
disposed
therein
ultimately
provides
burial
vehicle
process
nuclear waste
disposed therein
radioactive components
active components
separating radionuclides
active component
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