Process for dissolving plutonium and/or other radioactive elements present in solid or liquid products
US5523514A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/50
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to the dissolving of plutonium and/or other radioactive elements in an aqueous solution by microwave heating. According to the invention, solid or liquid products containing plutonium and/or other radioactive elements are introduced into a container (7) containing an acid solution, comprising hydrofluoric acid and nitric solution, followed by the microwave heating of the solution containing these products using a chamber or tank (5) placed in a tight enclosure (1), which is supplied with microwaves by means of a coaxial cable or a waveguide (11) connected to the generator (9) located outside the enclosure. The solid products can be plutonium dioxide PuO.sub.2 or organic or mineral radioactive waste materials such as gloves, cellulose products, ion exchange resins, etc. The liquid products can be contaminated organic solvents such as tributyl phosphate in dodecane.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.