US3853980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ruthenium decontamination of solutions derived from the processing of irradiated fuels
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1972-02-07
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1992-02-07
Abstract
Abstract The method consists in adding ferrous ions and cupric ions to the solution arising from the processing of irradiated fuels after the solution has first been put into contact if necessary with a quantity of oxidizing agent which is just sufficient to destroy in the raw effluent any substance having a potential oxidizing action on the iron which is intended to remain in the ferrous state, in rendering the solution alkaline in order to precipitate the corresponding compounds of copper and of iron, and in coagulating and filtering the slurries obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Berton
- 👤 N Fernandez
- 👤 P Chauvet
- 👤 S Clapit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/04; G21F9/06; G21F9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A PROCESS FOR DECONTAMINATING RUHTENIUM FROM A RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION ORIGINATING FROM THE TREATMENT OF IRRADIATED FUELS AND CONTAINING RUTHENIUM COMPRISING ADDING TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION A SOLUTION OF AN OXIDIZING AGENT, THEREAFTER SIMULTANEOUSLY ADDING FERROUS IONS AND CUPRIC IONS TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION, MIXING WITH SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION SUFFICIENT ALKALINE HYDROXIDE TO ADJUST THE PH OF THE RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION TO BETWEEN 7 AND 8.5 SO THAT HYDROXIDES OF COPPER AND IRON ARE PRECIPITATED WITH RUTHENIUM ADSORBED THEREON, AND COAGULATING AND FILTERING THE SLURRY SO OBTAINED TO REMOVE THE RUTHENIUM-CONTAINING COPPER AND IRON HYDROXIDES THEREFROM, SAID PROCESS CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE AMOUNT OF OXIDIZING AGENT ADDED TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION IS JUST SUFFICIENT TO DESTROY ANY OXIDIZERS OF IRON THEREIN SO THAT THE FERROUS IONS ADDED TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION ARE NOT OXIDIZED BY SAID OXIDIZERS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A PROCESS FOR DECONTAMINATING RUHTENIUM FROM A RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION ORIGINATING FROM THE TREATMENT OF IRRADIATED FUELS AND CONTAINING RUTHENIUM COMPRISING ADDING TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION A SOLUTION OF AN OXIDIZING AGENT, THEREAFTER SIMULTANEOUSLY ADDING FERROUS IONS AND CUPRIC IONS TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION, MIXING WITH SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION SUFFICIENT ALKALINE HYDROXIDE TO ADJUST THE PH OF THE RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION TO BETWEEN 7 AND 8.5 SO THAT HYDROXIDES OF COPPER AND IRON ARE PRECIPITATED WITH RUTHENIUM ADSORBED THEREON, AND COAGULATING AND FILTERING THE SLURRY SO OBTAINED TO REMOVE THE RUTHENIUM-CONTAINING COPPER AND IRON HYDROXIDES THEREFROM, SAID PROCESS CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE AMOUNT OF OXIDIZING AGENT ADDED TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION IS JUST SUFFICIENT TO DESTROY ANY OXIDIZERS OF IRON THEREIN SO THAT THE FERROUS IONS ADDED TO SAID RADIOACTIVE SOLUTION ARE NOT OXIDIZED BY SAID OXIDIZERS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent added to the radioactive solution is potassium permanganate. mg.1
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the cupric ions are added in the form of an aqueous solution of copper sulphate in order to have in said radioactive solution between 80 and 200 mg.l 1 of cupric ions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the ferrous ions are added in the form of an aqueous solution of ferrous sulphate in order to have in said radioactive solution between 350 and 500 mg.1 1 of ferrous ions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the alkalization of the radioactive solution is carried out by the addition of caustic soda.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the slurries derived from the first treatment are re-used for the purpose of treating a raw effluent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process according to claim 3, wherein the ferrous ions are added in the form of an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate in order that said radioactive solution contains between 350 and 500 mg/l ferrous ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 2, wherein potassium permanganate is added until said radioactive solution develops a persistent pink coloring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein said radioactive solution contains cesium and further wherein nickel ferrocyanide is added to said radioactive solution to adsorb said cesium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein about 150mg/l of ferrocyanide ions and 37 mg/l of nickel ions are added in the form of a colloidal aqueous suspension of nickel ferrocyanide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein coagulation is accomplished by adding an anionic flocculant to said radioactive solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 10, wherein the amount of anionic flocculant added is about 20 mg/l of radioactive solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the slurry so Obtained is subjected to a further quantity of radioactive solution in order to remove further amounts of ruthenium therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said radioactive solution contains a substance tending to oxidize ferrous ions to ferric ions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for decontaminating a radioactive solution originating from the treatment of irradiated fuels and containing ruthenium comprising adding to said radioactive solution a solution of potassium permanganate until said solution turns a persistant pink color, adding simultaneously an aqueous solution of copper sulphate and an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate to said radioactive solution, the amount of copper sulfate added being sufficient so that said radioactive solution has between 80 and 200 mg/l of cupric ions therein and the amount of ferrous sulfate added being sufficient so that said radioactive solution has between 350 and 500 mg/l of ferrous ions therein, admixing with said radioactive solution sufficient caustic soda to adjust the pH of the solution to between 7 and 8.5 so that hydroxides of copper and iron are precipitated, and coagulating and filtrating the slurry so obtained.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for decontaminating a radioactive solution originating from the treatment of irradiated fuels and containing ruthenium comprising adding to said radioactive solution a solution of potassium permanganate until said solution turns a persistant pink color, adding simultaneously an aqueous solution of copper sulphate and an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate to said radioactive solution, the amount of copper sulfate added being sufficient so that said radioactive solution has between 80 and 200 mg/l of cupric ions therein and the amount of ferrous sulfate added being sufficient so that said radioactive solution has between 350 and 500 mg/l of ferrous ions therein, admixing with said radioactive solution sufficient caustic soda to adjust the pH of the solution to between 7 and 8.5 so that hydroxides of copper and iron are precipitated, and coagulating and filtrating the slurry so obtained.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 15, wherein said cupric sulfate and ferrous sulfate are added to said radioactive solution in a single aqueous solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |