Treatment of nuclear sludge
First Claim
1. A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber, in the presence of an oxidant, to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge;
- wherein the plasma chamber comprises two graphite electrodes; and
wherein the electrodes are operated in one or both of;
(i) a first mode in which an electric arc is passed between the electrodes above the level of the nuclear sludge (remotely coupled);
or(ii) a second mode in which an electric arc is passed between the electrodes through the inorganic components of the sludge (transferred).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber, in the presence of an oxidant, to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge;
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wherein the plasma chamber comprises two graphite electrodes; and wherein the electrodes are operated in one or both of; (i) a first mode in which an electric arc is passed between the electrodes above the level of the nuclear sludge (remotely coupled);
or(ii) a second mode in which an electric arc is passed between the electrodes through the inorganic components of the sludge (transferred). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification