Patent Number: 045405123
Section: claims

1. A process for separating and recovering boric acid from water containing solids which include boric acid and radionuclides comprising: (A) separating said water from said solids by evaporating said water at a temperature under about 130.degree. F.;  (B) adding methanol to said solids in at least the amount stoichiometrically required to  (C) separating said boron methoxide by evaporating said boron methoxide-methanol azeotrope by heating it at its boiling point, 54.degree. C.;  (D) adding water to said boron methoxide to form boric acid and methanol; and  (E) separating said methanol from said boric acid by evaporating said methanol. 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said water is evaporated in a scrapped film evaporator. 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said water is evaporated under a vacuum at a temperature of less than about 100.degree. F. 4. A process according to claim 1 wherein each step is conducted as a batch process. 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said alcohol is evaporated in a scrapped film evaporator. 6. A process according to claim 1 including the additional step after step (C) of incorporating said solids in glass using glass-forming alkoxides. 7. A process according to claim 1 including the additional step after step (C) of incorporating said solids in cement.