Cryolite process for the solidification of radioactive wastes
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
InventorsJoseph A. Wielang, Larry L. Taylor
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Abstract
An improved method is provided for solidifying liquid wastes containing significant quantities of sodium or sodium compounds by calcining in a fluidized-bed calciner. The formation of sodium nitrate which will cause agglomeration of the fluidized-bed particles is retarded by adding aluminum and a fluoride to the waste in order to produce cryolite during calcination. The off-gas of the calciner is scrubbed with a solution containing aluminum in order to complex any fluoride which may be liberated by subsequent dissolution of cryolite and prevent corrosion in the off-gas cleanup system.
Claims6
In the method of solidifying liquid radioactive wastes for long-term storage as a solid by calcining said liquid radioactive wastes in a fluidized-bed calciner wherein said liquid radioactive wastes contain significant quantities of sodium or sodium compounds, the improvement therein comprising:
- adding aluminum and a fluoride to said wastes in a form which will yield aluminum and fluoride ions and in an amount so as to produce cryolite during said calcination of said sodium-containing wastes and scrubbing the off-gas of said calciner with a solution to which aluminum has been added.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.