US 10,600,527 B1 · Ceramic waste form production from used nuclear fuel

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, a method to create a ceramic waste form from used nuclear fuel. An active metal salt waste, a rare earth metal waste, and raw materials are received. The active metal salt waste is combined with the rare earth metal waste, forming a waste salt. The waste salt is then heated to approximately 500° C. The raw materials are also heated to approximately 500° C. The waste salt and raw materials are then blended to form a homogenous waste mixture. The homogenous waste mixture is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time, creating a ceramic waste form. The ceramic waste form is cooled to a second predetermined temperature.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method to create a ceramic waste form from used nuclear fuel, the method comprising:

(a) receiving used nuclear fuel, the nuclear fuel including an active metal salt waste, a rare earth metal waste, and raw materials;
(b) combining the active metal salt waste and the rare earth metal waste to form a waste salt;
(c) heating the waste salt to between approximately 400-660° C.;
(d) heating the raw materials to between approximately 400-660° C.;
(e) blending the waste salt and raw materials to form a homogenous waste mixture;
(f) heating the homogenous waste mixture to a first predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time, creating a ceramic waste form;
and
(g) cooling the ceramic waste form to a second predetermined temperature.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ceramic waste form production from used nuclear fuel

Life of this patent

Ceramic waste form production from used nuclear fuel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18