Patent ID: 6518477
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B01D,C08G,C08K,C09D,F23G,G21F

Abstract:
A method for remediating non-homogeneous radioactive waste, wherein the waste contains low boiling temperature/high vapor pressure components and heavy metal/transuranic components, the method comprising:isolating the waste in a reaction vessel; providing an inert atmosphere within the reaction vessel; reducing the pressure within the reaction vessel; raising the temperature within the reaction vessel to a temperature necessary to vaporize the low boiling temperature/high vapor pressure components to form a gaseous waste portion; removing the gaseous waste portion from the reaction vessel; treating the gaseous waste portion for disposal; raising the temperature within the reaction vessel to a temperature necessary to cause pyrolysis of the heavy metal/transuranic components to form gaseous nitrogen oxides and solid metal oxide ash; treating the gaseous metal oxides for disposal; separating the solid metal oxide ash into a sodium containing fraction and a sodium free fraction; and remediating the sodium fraction and the sodium free fraction for storage.