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Title: Method for acid oxidation of radioactive, hazardous, and mixed organic waste materials

Patent ·
OSTI ID:872557

The present invention is directed to a process for reducing the volume of low level radioactive and mixed waste to enable the waste to be more economically stored in a suitable repository, and for placing the waste into a form suitable for permanent disposal. The invention involves a process for preparing radioactive, hazardous, or mixed waste for storage by contacting the waste starting material containing at least one organic carbon-containing compound and at least one radioactive or hazardous waste component with nitric acid and phosphoric acid simultaneously at a contacting temperature in the range of about 140.degree. C. to about 210 .degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic carbon-containing compound to gaseous products, thereby producing a residual concentrated waste product containing substantially all of said radioactive or inorganic hazardous waste component; and immobilizing the residual concentrated waste product in a solid phosphate-based ceramic or glass form.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-89SR18035
Assignee:
Westinghouse Savannah River Company (Aiken, SC)
Patent Number(s):
US 5960368
OSTI ID:
872557
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English