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Title: Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers

Abstract

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.

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

Citation Formats

Jantzen, C M. Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Jantzen, C M. Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers. United States.
Jantzen, C M. 1992. "Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10128689.
@article{osti_10128689,
title = {Method for dissolution and stabilization of silica-rich fibers},
author = {Jantzen, C M},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/10128689}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Thu Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}