Patent ID: 6320091
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: C04B,G21F

Abstract:
A process for immobilizing actinide oxides in a ceramic form comprising pyrochlore, brannerite and rutile, which comprises the steps of:milling said actinide oxides into powder form to achieve powder particle size less than 50 microns;blending ceramic precursors with said powder, said ceramic precursors comprising neutron absorbers, oxides of titanium and hydroxides of calcium, wherein said blending is accomplished via wet ball milling or an attritor mill;pouring said blend into a die;cold pressing said blend at a pressure in the range of 1,000-20,000 psi;and sintering said pressed blend at a temperature range of 1200-1500 deg C. for 1-8 hours in an atmosphere selected from the group consisting of air, reducing atmosphere and inert atmosphere to form a ceramic material.