# US 2013/0153473 A1 · Concentrate treatment system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153473 A1 - Document ID: US20130153473A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/820,145 - Filed: 2011-09-25 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-15 - Assignees: Diversified Technologies Services, Inc. - Inventors: Dennis A. Brunsell; Charles E. Jensen; Larry E. Beets - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153473A1 ## CPC - C02F 9/00: Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage - A62D 3/38: by oxidation; by combustion - G21C 19/46: Aqueous processes {, e.g. by using organic extraction means, including the regeneration of these means} - G21F 9/12: by absorption; by adsorption; by ion-exchange - G21F 9/125: {by solvent extraction} - C02F 1/04: by distillation or evaporation - C02F 1/28: by sorption (using ion-exchange C02F1/42; sorbent compositions B01J) - C02F 1/38: by centrifugal separation - C02F 1/42: by ion-exchange (ion-exchange in general B01J) - C02F 1/444: {by ultrafiltration or microfiltration} - C02F 1/66: by neutralisation; pH adjustment (for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58) - C02F 1/722: {Oxidation by peroxides} - C02F 1/74: with air (aeration of stretches of water C02F7/00) - C02F 1/76: with halogens or compounds of halogens {(C02F1/4674 takes precedence)} - C02F 1/78: with ozone {(C02F1/4672 takes precedence)} - C02F 11/12: by de-watering, drying or thickening - C02F 2001/007: {Processes including a sedimentation step} - C02F 2101/006: {Radioactive compounds} - C02F 2209/005: Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC] - C02F 2209/008: comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas - C02F 2209/02: Temperature - C02F 2209/04: Oxidation reduction potential [ORP] - C02F 2209/06: pH - C02F 2303/12: Prevention of foaming - Y02E 30/30: Nuclear fission reactors - Y02W 30/50: Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - A62D: CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS - G21C: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J) - G21F: PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR (radiation protection by pharmaceutical means A61K8/00, A61Q17/04; in cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/54; combined with a reactor G21C11/00; combined with X-ray tubes H01J35/16; combined with X-ray apparatus H05G1/02) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract In one aspect the invention provides a system for treating a wastestream, particularly a radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. In another aspect the invention provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I), Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for treating a wastestream consisting of at least one of a group of wastes consisting of radioactive concentrate fluid, historic waste and other forms of environmental or hazardous waste or radwaste; and converting it into at least one of two selected forms including a form which can be solidified, or solidified form, for safe disposal and an aqueous form which can be safely discharged to the environment, said system comprising the steps, designated as Roman numerals: I, II, III, IV and V, of: (I) oxidizing the wastestream; (II) mixing the wastestream with Sorbent material for Isotopic Reduction (III) separating the wastestream into Solid and Liquid components (IV) treating the wastestream by Selective Ion exchange (IX), and (V) final processing, wherein at least one step is chosen from a group consisting of: (Va) discharging the wastestream in said aqueous form, and (Vb) drying of a resulting wastestream having dissolved solids to Dry Solids, as said solidified form. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein, step (I) is cycled through at least one operation selected from a group of operations consisting of: batch operation, continuous operation and other cycles of volume processing operations. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein, the volume processing operation has a time magnitude of from about one (1) hour to about forty-eight (48) hours. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein, as a part of step (I) the wastestream is conveyed or transferred from a stored location (6) to a recycle oxidation vessel (12). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein, during a contemporaneous period of time during or after said wastestream being conveyed or transferred the wastestream is recycled from and returning to the recycle oxidation vessel (12), said oxidation vessel (12) being selectively served by a means of providing heat exchange (18) when required to adjust the temperature to a more favorable oxidation range; and wherein a pH and temperature measurement area (13) and ORP measurement station (11) are utilized for measurement purposes to determine further treatment required. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein, pH is determined and adjustment performed if required using a means for chemical injection (15). ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein, an antifoaming agent is utilized if required, said agent being provided through the means for chemical injection (15). ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein, the pH is below about 12.5 ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein, the pH is less than about 12. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein, the ORP is from about +300 to about +1000 after adjustment for the pH. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the means of providing heat exchange (18) operates to lower the temperature of the wastestream to a temperature of less than about 80 degrees F. or about 26.67 degrees C. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the means of providing heat exchange (18) operates to lower the temperature of the wastestream to a temperature of less than or equal to about 60 degrees F. or about 15.56 degrees C. ### Claim 13 A system for treating a wastestream (8) consisting of at least one of a group of wastes consisting of radioactive concentrate fluid, historic waste and other forms of environmental or hazardous waste or radwaste; and converting the wastestream into at least one of two selected forms consisting of a form which can be solidified, or solidified form, for safe disposal, and an aqueous form which can be safely discharged to the environment; said system comprising the steps, designated as Roman numerals: I, II, III, IV and V as follows, of: (I) oxidizing the wastestream; (II) mixing the wastestream with Sorbent material for Isotopic Reduction; (III) separating the wastestream into Solid and Liquid components; (IV) treating the wastestream by Selective Ion exchange (IX), and (V) final processing, wherein at least one step is chosen from a group consisting of: (Va) discharging the wastestream in said aqueous form, and (Vb) drying of a resulting wastestream having dissolved solids to Dry Solids, as said solidified form. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein, step (I) is an Oxidation or Ozone Oxidation step, further comprising the substeps of: communicating the wastestream (8) from a facility or storage area (6) through a means for solids separation (7), whereat a solids portion of the wastestream is conveyed to a solids collection tank (28), and a remaining part of the wastestream is conveyed to a recycle oxidation vessel (12) for processing therein, conveying the wastestream after processing in the recycle oxidation vessel (12) to a means for measuring pH and temperature (13), and further through a means for providing ORP measurement (11), and transferring at least part of the wastestream to a means for providing heat exchange (18), the means (18) communicating with an eductor supply feed (19) and the means for providing ozone eductor and mixing (16b) through which the wastestream is communicated to an oxidation return line (14a) back in recycle to the vessel (12), said line (14a) further communicating with and being contemporaneously served by a means for selectively providing chemical injection (15). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein, step (II) is a Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step, further comprising the substeps of: marshaling at least a part of the remaining wastestream not being transferred to the means for providing heat exchange (18), and transferring the remaining wastestream to a sorbent treatment area (20), selecting at least one sorbent substance when it is desired to remove at least one subject target element or isotope forming a part of the wastestream transferred to the sorbent treatment area (20), adding the at least one sorbent substance selected to the treatment area (20) and mixing it therewithin, and coordinating at least one further substep selected from a group comprising repeating the selecting at least one sorbent substance until sufficient time has passed to substantially absorb the target element or isotope forming a part of the wastestream , and recycling the wastestream transferred to the sorbent treatment area (20) until sufficient time has passed to substantially absorb the target element or isotope forming a part of the wastestream, wherein said at least one sorbent substance is selected from a group consisting of powdered, granular, liquid ionic flocculent and other forms of sorbents; communicating the wastestream from the area (20) to a means for separation and settling (33), wherein at least a portion of the wastestream is separated out to a solid material, and wherein, between the sorbent treatment area (20) and the means for separation and settling (33) communicating a first means (22A, 38), for selectable recycle to the treatment area (20), when selected, of a portion of the wastestream chosen not to pass through the means for separation and settling (33), transferring the solid material from the separation and settling means (33) to the collection tank (28), and transferring the remaining wastestream from the means (33) to a filter unit (34), and wherein, between the separation and settling means (33) and the filter unit (34) communicating a second means (31A, 38) for selectable recycle to the treatment area (20), when selected, of a portion of the wastestream chosen not to pass through the filter unit (34). ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein as a part of step (II), one sorbent material is added and mixed (24, 24a) in the sorbent treatment area (20), and the first means (22A, 38) for selectable recycle to the treatment area (20) being selected and repeated when necessary until sufficient time has passed to substantially absorb the at least one subject target element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein as a part of step (II), the second means (31A, 38) for selectable recycle being utilized for removal of sorbents and other solids without passing such materials through the filter unit (34), and being utilized when a sorbent currently being used is required to be removed prior to a subsequent sorbent being added to the sorbent treatment area (20). ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein, step (III) is a Solid-Liquid Separation step further comprising the substeps of: filtering the remaining wastestream through a filter media (35) of the filter unit (34), communicating with the rejected side of the filter media (35) a third means (36A, 38) for selectable recycle to the treatment area (20), for recycling at least a part of the wastestream, not passing through the media (35), to the sorbent treatment area (20), and contemporaneously directing at least a part of the wastestream, passing through the media (35) to a manifold system (41). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the wastestream processes through the separation and settling device (33) and to the filter unit (34), and wherein a reject portion from the reject side of the filter media (35) of the filter unit (34) being returned through the third means (36A, 38) for selectable recycle to the treatment area (20) for further processing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein, when no solids are present in the wastestream and no need to remove solids prior to passage through sorbent treatment area (20), and only one sorbent is utilized in the sorbent treatment area (20), the first means for selectable recycle (22A, 38) and the third means for selectable recycle (36A, 38), to the treatment area (20) being utilized. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein, when at least two separate processing passes through the sorbent treatment area (20) are selected and utilized or a first sorbent is removed from the treatment area (20) before adding and using a second or respective additional sorbent, for absorption of targeted element substances, then the second means for selectable recycle (31A, 38), to the treatment area (20) being utilized. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein, adding one and more than one sorbents to the sorbent treatment area (20) in a manner selected to address sorbency-targeting of one and more than one of said subject target element or isotope, and such that said adding of respective individual sorbents when chosen creates a sequential adding of sorbents and sorbent addition strategy to best absorb the subject target element in the treatment area (20), and when present more than one such subject target element, during related or contemporaneous time periods while the subject target element of interest is present in the treatment area (20). ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein, step (IV) is an Adjustable and Configurable Ion exchange (IX) step further comprising: processing the wastestream passing into the manifold system (41) by selective removal of isotopes, wherein the system (41) comprises at least one vessel unit (42) for ion exchange, the unit (42) being served and connected to at least one manifold line (43), and wherein one and more such vessels are selectively deployable in series, and adjustable and configurable through by-pass function, in determining flow path and selective IX treatment through the system (41), and exiting the remaining wastestream from the system (41) to a means of IX effluent conveyance (51). ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein, as a part of said step (V), the substeps comprise: conveying the remaining wastestream on the conveyance (51) to a means for storing and monitoring fluid (50), passing at least a portion of the remaining wastestream from the means (50) to at least one of the group consisting of: the Water Discharge (Va), and the Drying of resulting wastestream dissolved solids (Vb); and contemporaneously guiding at least a part of the remaining wastestream through a recycling subprocess where the wastestream is returned to the means for storing and monitoring fluid (50). ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, wherein: the Water Discharge (Va) comprises at least a means for discharging the remaining wastestream as clean water to the environment; and the Drying (Vb) comprises at least a means for providing evaporator feed conveyance (53) of at least a part of the remaining wastestream from the means (50), a means for evaporation (54) in communication with the means (53), and a means connected to the evaporation (54) for selective recycle back to the facility or storage area (6). ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, wherein: the recycling subprocess comprises at least: a means (50R) for communicating and transferring the at least part of the remaining wastestream from the means for storing and monitoring fluid (50) to the means of IX effluent conveyance (51), means for providing pH adjustment in communication with the means of conveyance (51), and means of measuring pH, in communication with the conveyance (51), before the wastestream is transferred to the IX effluent conveyance (51) and returned to the means for storing and monitoring fluid (50). ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the system is coordinated and controlled as to each process step by means for integrated remote computer system control.