Apparatus and method for treating waste materials which include charged particle emitters
First Claim
1. An apparatus for treating waste materials, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a molten metal reactor including a reaction chamber charged with a reactant metal, and further including a heating arrangement for placing the reactant metal in a molten state;
(b) a waste material input structure through which waste material may be introduced into the reaction chamber to contact the molten reactant metal;
(c) field generating means for generating a unidirectional electromagnetic field through the molten reactant metal and through a first target area, the electromagnetic field directing beta particles toward the first target area; and
(d) a first radiation absorbing module positioned in the first target area, the first radiation absorbing module including a radiation absorbing material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reaction chamber (20) is charged with a reactant metal (18) which is heated to a molten state by a suitable heating arrangement (21). A field generating arrangement (17) generates a unidirectional electromagnetic field through the molten reactant metal (18) and through at least one target area preferably within the molten reactant metal. The electromagnetic field directs beta particles toward the first target area. A radiation absorbing module (15, 16) is positioned in the first target area and includes at least one radiation absorbing material (75, 76). The radiation absorbing material (75, 76) in the modules (15, 16) absorb the beta radiation which has been directed to the target area by the electromagnetic field.
53 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating waste materials, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a molten metal reactor including a reaction chamber charged with a reactant metal, and further including a heating arrangement for placing the reactant metal in a molten state; (b) a waste material input structure through which waste material may be introduced into the reaction chamber to contact the molten reactant metal; (c) field generating means for generating a unidirectional electromagnetic field through the molten reactant metal and through a first target area, the electromagnetic field directing beta particles toward the first target area; and (d) a first radiation absorbing module positioned in the first target area, the first radiation absorbing module including a radiation absorbing material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating waste materials, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a reactant metal in a molten state and substantially isolating the molten reactant metal from oxygen; (b) producing a unidirectional electromagnetic field through the molten reactant metal and through a first target area, the electromagnetic field directing beta particles toward the first target area; (c) introducing the waste material into the molten reactant metal; (d) circulating the molten reactant metal to direct constituents of the waste material into the area of the molten reactant metal traversed by the electromagnetic field; and (e) intercepting the electromagnetic field in the first target area with a radiation absorbing material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification