Containment of nuclear waste
First Claim
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1. A method of immobilizing nuclear waste comprising:
- (A) preparing a composition which comprises(1) about 30% to about 85% by weight, calculated as SiO2, of a silicon compound having the general formula SiRm (OR'"'"')n Xp or Si(OSiR3)4 where each R is independently selected from alkyl to C10 and alkenyl to C10, each R'"'"' is independently selected from R and aryl, each X is independently selected from chlorine and bromine, m is 0 to 3, n is 0 to 4, p is 0 to 1, and m+n+p equals 4;
(2) about 5% to about 30% by weight, calculated as Na2 O, of a sodium compound having the general formula NaOR" or NaZR'"'"'3, where each R" is independently selected from R and hydrogen, and Z is carbon or boron;
(3) up to about 30% by weight, calculated as Al2 O3, of an aluminum compound having the general formula AlR'"'"'q (OR")r Xs or Mg(Al(OR)4)2, q is 0 to 3, r is 0 to 3, s is 0 to 1, and q+r+s equals 3;
(4) about 5% to about 30% by weight, calculated as the corresponding oxide, of a compound selected from the group consisting of boron compounds having the general formula BR'"'"'q (OR")r Xs, where q+r+s equals 3, alkaline earth metal compounds having the general formula MRt (OR")u Xv where M is calcium or magnesium, t is 0 to 2, u is 0 to 2, v is 0 to 1, and t+u+v equals 2, lithium compounds having the general formula LiOR, and mixtures thereof, said composition being at least partially hydrolyzed;
(B) mixing into said composition up to about to an equal amount by weight of said nuclear waste at up to 500°
C. until the mixture is dry and organics have been removed; and
(C) melting said mixture at about 800°
C. to 1300°
C.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method of immobilizing nuclear waste in glass. A composition is prepared of about 30 to about 85% of a hydrolyzed glass-forming silicon compound, about 5 to about 30% of a glass-forming sodium compound, up to about 30% of a glass-forming aluminum compound, and about 5 to about 30% of a glass-forming boron, calcium, or magnesium compound. Up to an equal amount of nuclear waste is mixed into the composition and the mixture is heated at up to 500° C. until dry. The mixture is then melted at 800° to 1300° C., and can be poured into ingots and cooled. The mixture can also be melted in situ with a laser.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of immobilizing nuclear waste comprising:
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(A) preparing a composition which comprises (1) about 30% to about 85% by weight, calculated as SiO2, of a silicon compound having the general formula SiRm (OR'"'"')n Xp or Si(OSiR3)4 where each R is independently selected from alkyl to C10 and alkenyl to C10, each R'"'"' is independently selected from R and aryl, each X is independently selected from chlorine and bromine, m is 0 to 3, n is 0 to 4, p is 0 to 1, and m+n+p equals 4; (2) about 5% to about 30% by weight, calculated as Na2 O, of a sodium compound having the general formula NaOR" or NaZR'"'"'3, where each R" is independently selected from R and hydrogen, and Z is carbon or boron; (3) up to about 30% by weight, calculated as Al2 O3, of an aluminum compound having the general formula AlR'"'"'q (OR")r Xs or Mg(Al(OR)4)2, q is 0 to 3, r is 0 to 3, s is 0 to 1, and q+r+s equals 3; (4) about 5% to about 30% by weight, calculated as the corresponding oxide, of a compound selected from the group consisting of boron compounds having the general formula BR'"'"'q (OR")r Xs, where q+r+s equals 3, alkaline earth metal compounds having the general formula MRt (OR")u Xv where M is calcium or magnesium, t is 0 to 2, u is 0 to 2, v is 0 to 1, and t+u+v equals 2, lithium compounds having the general formula LiOR, and mixtures thereof, said composition being at least partially hydrolyzed; (B) mixing into said composition up to about to an equal amount by weight of said nuclear waste at up to 500°
C. until the mixture is dry and organics have been removed; and(C) melting said mixture at about 800°
C. to 1300°
C. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification