DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Situ formation of apatite for sequestering radionuclides and heavy metals

Abstract

Methods for in situ formation in soil of a permeable reactive barrier or zone comprising a phosphate precipitate, such as apatite or hydroxyapatite, which is capable of selectively trapping and removing radionuclides and heavy metal contaminants from the soil, while allowing water or other compounds to pass through. A preparation of a phosphate reagent and a chelated calcium reagent is mixed aboveground and injected into the soil. Subsequently, the chelated calcium reagent biodegrades and slowly releases free calcium. The free calcium reacts with the phosphate reagent to form a phosphate precipitate. Under the proper chemical conditions, apatite or hydroxyapatite can form. Radionuclide and heavy metal contaminants, including lead, strontium, lanthanides, and uranium are then selectively sequestered by sorbing them onto the phosphate precipitate. A reducing agent can be added for reduction and selective sequestration of technetium or selenium contaminants.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Edgewood, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1007474
Patent Number(s):
6592294
Application Number:
10/008,769
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B09 - DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE B09B - DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B09 - DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE B09C - RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Moore, Robert C. Situ formation of apatite for sequestering radionuclides and heavy metals. United States: N. p., 2003. Web.
Moore, Robert C. Situ formation of apatite for sequestering radionuclides and heavy metals. United States.
Moore, Robert C. Tue . "Situ formation of apatite for sequestering radionuclides and heavy metals". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1007474.
@article{osti_1007474,
title = {Situ formation of apatite for sequestering radionuclides and heavy metals},
author = {Moore, Robert C},
abstractNote = {Methods for in situ formation in soil of a permeable reactive barrier or zone comprising a phosphate precipitate, such as apatite or hydroxyapatite, which is capable of selectively trapping and removing radionuclides and heavy metal contaminants from the soil, while allowing water or other compounds to pass through. A preparation of a phosphate reagent and a chelated calcium reagent is mixed aboveground and injected into the soil. Subsequently, the chelated calcium reagent biodegrades and slowly releases free calcium. The free calcium reacts with the phosphate reagent to form a phosphate precipitate. Under the proper chemical conditions, apatite or hydroxyapatite can form. Radionuclide and heavy metal contaminants, including lead, strontium, lanthanides, and uranium are then selectively sequestered by sorbing them onto the phosphate precipitate. A reducing agent can be added for reduction and selective sequestration of technetium or selenium contaminants.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2003},
month = {7}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Immobilization of Uranium in Contaminated Sediments by Hydroxyapatite Addition
journal, December 1998

  • Arey, J. Samuel; Seaman, John C.; Bertsch, Paul M.
  • Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 33, Issue 2, p. 337-342
  • URL: 10.1021/es980425+

Sorption of uranium and other heavy metals on hydroxyapatite
journal, December 1995


Preparation of hydroxyapatite by the hydrolysis of brushite
journal, December 1987


Kinetics of Hydroxyapatite Formation at Low Temperature
journal, May 1991


Immobilization of Actinides by Hydroxylapatite
journal, January 1991


Precipitation of calcium phosphate at 40° C from neutral solution
journal, December 1991


Effect of citric acid on the nucleation of hydroxyapatite in a simulated body fluid
journal, November 1999