Process for the treatment of radioactive graphite
US6625248B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
26References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S376/904
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.