Waste containment composite
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsJames F. Angelo, II, James T. Pride, Thomas S. Snyder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved multilayered storage structure composite material. The composite contains a fibrous mat made from interwoven fibers, preferably metallic fibers, that is encased with a concrete-based mixture to form a mat layer. At least one concrete-based layer is also disposed within the composite, and this concrete-based layer preferably contains at least one shielding additive. The composite material is preferably formed into a containment vessel for the storage of hazardous, radioactive, and mixed waste materials.
Claims26
An improved shielding composite comprising:
- (a) a fibrous mat layer having a first and second face, the mat layer comprising a mat having, a thickness of from 1.2 cm (0.5 in.) to 10 cm (4 in.) and comprising an interwoven matrix of metal fibers effective to provide a radioactive shielding effect and a concrete-based material encasing the fibers and permeating the matrix, and filling at least 50 percent by volume of the void spaces within the matrix;
- (b) a first concrete-based layer located proximate to the first face of the mat layer, and
- (c) a second concrete-based layer located proximate to the second face of the mat layer.
A method of constructing a containment storage structure comprising:
- (a) providing a mat having a thickness of from 1.2 cm (0.5 in.) to 10 cm (4 in.) comprising an interwoven fiber matrix of metal fibers, the mat having a first and a second face;
- and
- (b) pouring a fluid concrete-based mixture into and adjacent to the mat to encase the fibers in the concrete-based mixture and permeate the matrix, and fill at least 50 percent by volume of the void spaces within the matrix, and to provide a first concrete-based layer proximate to the first face of the mat, where the metal fiber matrix is effective to provide a radioactive shielding effect.
A waste container for storage of hazardous, radioactive, or mixed waste materials, comprising:
- (a) a waste container comprising a side wall defining an enclosed space for storing waste materials, said side wall comprising a composite material comprising (i) a fibrous mat layer having a first and second face, the mat layer comprising a mat having a thickness of from 1.2 cm (0.5 in.) to 10 cm (4 in.) and comprising an interwoven metal fiber matrix effective to provide a radioactive shielding effect and a concrete-based material encasing the fibers and permeating the matrix, and filling at least 50 percent by volume of the void spaces within the matrix;
- and (ii) a first concrete-based layer located proximate to the first face of the mat layer;
- and
- (b) a top wall and a bottom wall located proximate to the side wall, the top wall and bottom walls enclosing the enclosed space for storing the waste materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.