Method for volume reduction of low activity organic wastes from nuclear power plants by anaerobic decomposition
US4861519A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/822
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the reduction in the quantity of low activity organic wastes from nuclear power plants. This is accomplished using anaerobic fermentation in a bioreactor. The waste from the nuclear power plant is subjected to a pretreatment such as comminution and suspension, hydrolysis and/or physical dispersion, such as by a irradiation, heat treatment or the equivalent. The pretreated waste is subjected to anaerobic decomposition in a bioreactor, the anaerobic decomposition taking place in two stages, namely an acid stage and a methane stage. The gases produced in the decomposition process are conducted from the methane stage to a gas burning stage and the undecomposed waste is removed, concentrated and packed in barrels or the like for storage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.