Method for stabilizing low-level mixed wastes at room temperature

A method for encapsulating and stabilizing waste containing cesium comprising:

• a.) combining the waste with Zr(OH).sub.4 to create a solid-phase mixture;
• b.) grinding said solid-phase mixture;
• c.) mixing phosphoric acid with the solid-phase mixture to create a slurry;
• d.) shaping the now-mixed slurry into a predetermined form;
• e.) subjecting the now-shaped slurry to pressure;
• and
• f.) allowing the now pressurized slurry to set.

A method for stabilizing liquid waste comprising:

• a.) supplying a powder containing magnesium, sodium and phosphate in predetermined proportions;
• b.) mixing said powder with the liquid waste to produce a slurry;
• c.) forming the slurry into a predetermined shape;
• and
• d.) allowing the now-shaped slurry to set.

A method for using phosphate ceramic material to stabilize solid and liquid waste at room temperature comprising:

• a) grinding the solid waste to a predetermined particle size;
• b) combining the now ground solid waste with a starter oxide to obtain a powder;
• c) contacting the powder with phosphate containing solution to create phosphates of the oxide in a slurry, said solution containing the liquid waste;
• d) mixing the slurry while maintaining the slurry below a predetermined temperature;
• e) shaping the now-mixed slurry into a predetermined form;
• and
• f) allowing the now-formed slurry to set into a phosphate ceramic waste form, wherein the solid and liquid waste contains organics selected from the group consisting of polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin, dichlorobenzene, naphthalene and combinations thereof.