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 Title: |
US4376792:
Method for primary containment of cesium wastes
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Angelini, Peter; Oak Ridge, TN
Lackey, Walter J.; Oak Ridge, TN
Stinton, David P.; Knoxville, TN
Blanco, Raymond E.; Oak Ridge, TN
Bond, Walter D.; Knoxville, TN
Arnold, Jr., Wesley D.; Oak Ridge, TN
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| Assignee: |
The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy, Washington, DC
other patents from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (597195) (approx. 6,712)
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| Published / Filed: |
1983-03-15
/ 1981-09-03
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| Application Number: |
US1981000298969
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G21F 9/12;
G21F 9/30;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
G21C 3/06;
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| ECLA Code: |
G21F9/12; G21F9/30B2;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
588/013;
210/682;
427/005;
427/006;
588/014;
976/DIG.385;
Original:
427/006;
252/628;
252/629;
210/682;
427/005;
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| Field of Search: |
210/682
252/628,629
427/5;6
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| Government Interest: |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to primary containment of nuclear wastes and, more particularly, to containment of cesium. This invention is a result of a contract with the United States Department of Energy.
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| Priority Number: |
| 1981-09-03 |
US1981000298969 |
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| Abstract: |
A method for producing a cesium-retentive waste form, characterized by a high degree of compositional stability and mechanical integrity, is provided by subjecting a cesium-loaded zeolite to heat under conditions suitable for stabilizing the zeolite and immobilizing the cesium, and coating said zeolite for sufficient duration within a suitable environment with at least one dense layer of pyrolytic carbon to seal therein said cesium to produce a final, cesium-bearing waste form. Typically, the zeolite is stabilized and the cesium immobilized in less than four hours by confinement within an air environment maintained at about 600 DEG C. Coatings are thereafter applied by confining the calcined zeolite within a coating environment comprising inert fluidizing and carbon donor gases maintained at 1,000 DEG C. for a suitable duration.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Carter, Clay C. ;
Hamel, Stephen D. ;
Besha, Richard G. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Silverberg, Sam;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 2 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing a cesium-specific waste form, characterized by a high degree of mechanical integrity and compositional stability, comprising, in combination, the steps of:
- (a) subjecting a cesium-specific zeolite containing cesium values to a rapid heating schedule within an air environment of about 100° C./hour until a temperature within the range of about 550° C. to 650° C. is attained;
- (b) maintaining this temperature for up to about four hours to effect removal of volatiles and moisture from the zeolite thereby retentively immobilizing cesium within stablized zeolite; and
- (c) coating the zeolite with at least one dense layer of pyrolytic carbon by confinement for sufficient duration within a suitable coating environment operating at about 1,000° C. while utilizing a carbon-donor gas selected from the group consisting essentially of acetylene and propylene and an inert fluidizing gas selected from the group consisting essentially of argon, nitrogen, and helium to effect a solidifed, cesium-retentive waste form.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 6 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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