Patent US3957676A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3957676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chemical digestion of low level nuclear solid waste material
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1972-09-22
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Granted: 1976-05-18
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Expires: 1992-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A chemical digestion for treatment of low level combustible nuclear solid waste material is provided and comprises reacting the solid waste material with concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature within the range of 230°-300°C and simultaneously and/or thereafter contacting the reacting mixture with concentrated nitric acid or nitrogen dioxide. In a special embodiment spent ion exchange resins are converted by this chemical digestion to noncombustible gases and a low volume noncombustible residue.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl R. Cooley
- 👤 Ronald E. Lerch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:10
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/28; G21F9/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for processing low level light weight, bulky combustible nuclear solid waste material comprising the steps of reacting said solid waste material with concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature within the range of 230° - 300°C and simultaneously and/or thereafter contacting said reacted waste with concentrated nitric acid or nitrogen oxides whereby carbonaceous material is oxidized to gaseous byproducts and a low volume residue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for processing low level light weight, bulky combustible nuclear solid waste material comprising the steps of reacting said solid waste material with concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature within the range of 230° - 300°C and simultaneously and/or thereafter contacting said reacted waste with concentrated nitric acid or nitrogen oxides whereby carbonaceous material is oxidized to gaseous byproducts and a low volume residue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid waste material comprises a heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid waste material comprises spent ion exchange resins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction step is conducted by incremental additions of solid waste material and said contacting step is conducted by incremental additions of nitric acid or nitrogen oxides to said solid waste material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of separating said low volume residue from the resulting aqueous solution, neutralizing said residue and drying the residue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said low level solid waste material includes uranium - and plutonium - bearing material.
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) | 1979-05-18 | 1979-11-17 | 1980-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-11-17 | 1984-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-18 | 1987-11-17 | 1988-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |