Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for processing aqueous radioactive wastes for noncontaminating and safe handling, transporting and final storage

US4144186A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
3References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 7, 1977
Grant dateMar 13, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 7, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21F9/305
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for processing aqueous radioactive wastes for noncontaminating and safe handling, transport and final storage wherein nitric acid and/or nitrate containing aqueous radioactive waste solutions are continuously denitrated with formic acid, spray-dried and calcinated in a spray dryer having a spray nozzle surrounded by a reaction chamber, the resulting calcinate is mixed with glass former substances, the mixture is melted and the melt is caused to solidify into a glass, glass ceramic or glass ceramic-like block and the waste gases produced during denitration-drying and calcination are conducted through a filter system in order to remove solid particles that have been carried along by the gas. The process steps of denitration, drying and calcination are effected simultaneously and are terminated with the aid of and the intimate energy exchange in the fine distribute droplets superheated steam in the vicinity of the spray nozzle. The resulting waste gases are cleaned within a filter chamber surrounding the reaction chamber with the spray nozzle. An apparatus is provided for practicing the method.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.