Patent · US Expired

Solidification of aqueous radioactive waste using insoluble compounds of magnesium oxide

US4620947A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
12References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 17, 1983
Grant dateNov 4, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 17, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W30/91
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Firm gel structures are formed from hot aqueous radioactive waste solutions containing boric acid by adding powdered magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide followed by addition of calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. Cement may be introduced after addition of the magnesium compound without interfering with subsequent gel reactions. Product rigidity imparted by the gel enables reduction of typical cement usage up to 50% or more in the processing of radioactive boric acid concentrates. This results in more waste being solidified per container, less exothermic heat generation, greater shipping efficiency, and improved resistance to aqueous leaching of radionuclides.

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