US4030708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for introducing particulate material into a container
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1976-03-24
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1996-03-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a steel drum together with cement and water, mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for a period of time to permit partial decay of radioactive materials. Also disclosed are a decanting tank for forming a dispersion of radioactive resin particles and water in predetermined proportions, said tank having an internal mixer to effect stirring, means for sensing the levels of the water and the resin particles, and means for removing excess water by decanting.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J. Stock
- 👤 Donald E. Christofer
- 👤 Joseph E. Brinza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B3/00; B65B3/04; B01; B01F; B01F35/00; B01F35/80; B01F35/88; G; G21; G21F; G21F7/00; G21F9/00; G21F9/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86236; Y10T137/86252
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A process of preparing a dispersion of a predetermined proportion of finely divided particles in a liquid comprising introducing a dispersion of said particles in said liquid into a container; allowing said dispersion to settle so that in the container there is a first level of a mixture of particles and liquid and above said first level a second level of a liquid that is essentially free of said particles and of a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the mixture of particles and liquid that has settled; sensing the vertical height location of said first level of said mixture of particles and liquid in said container, sensing the vertical height location of said second level of said liquid in said container; adjusting the amount of the liquid in said container by removing liquid between said first and second levels in accordance with the sensed heights of said first and second levels to achieve a desired proportion of total liquid to total particles in said container; and mixing the resulting mixture of particles and liquid to provide a dispersion of a predetermined proportion of said finely divided particles in said liquid to be stored in a second container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A process of preparing a dispersion of a predetermined proportion of finely divided particles in a liquid comprising introducing a dispersion of said particles in said liquid into a container; allowing said dispersion to settle so that in the container there is a first level of a mixture of particles and liquid and above said first level a second level of a liquid that is essentially free of said particles and of a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the mixture of particles and liquid that has settled; sensing the vertical height location of said first level of said mixture of particles and liquid in said container, sensing the vertical height location of said second level of said liquid in said container; adjusting the amount of the liquid in said container by removing liquid between said first and second levels in accordance with the sensed heights of said first and second levels to achieve a desired proportion of total liquid to total particles in said container; and mixing the resulting mixture of particles and liquid to provide a dispersion of a predetermined proportion of said finely divided particles in said liquid to be stored in a second container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 in which the amount of liquid is adjusted by removing excess liquid from said container at a location above said first level and below said second level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 1 in which the dispersion of a predetermined proportion of finely divided particles in liquid is discharged into said second container by a metering pump and said pump is also used to pump excess liquid from said first mentioned container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 3 in which said metering pump is also used to feed water to the bottom of said first mentioned container to effect back flushing thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
The process of claim 1 comprising placing sensing means in said liquid in said container to sense and indicate the location of said first level of the mixture of particles and liquid and to sense and indicate the location of said second level of liquid in said container, adjusting the amount of liquid by removing liquid between said first and second levels in said container in accordance with the indications of said sensing means, and removing said sensing means above the said second level of liquid in said container before mixing said mixture of particles and liquid to provide said dispersion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 5 in which said sensing means comprises floats having different specific gravities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 5 in which sensing means is placed in said container to determine the height of said second level of liquid as it is lowered by removal of excess liquid and in which such removal is halted when such height is at a predetermined amount as determined by said last-named sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 5 in which a decanting pipe with a movable inlet is located in said container with its inlet below said second level, and said inlet is moved in an upright path during removal of excess liquid through said pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 8 in which said sensing means and said decanting pipe are held out of the liquid in said container during said mixing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process of claim 5 in which said sensing means transmit signals to a remote location outside of said container to indicate the location of said first level and said second level, and the amount of liquid between said first and second levels in said container is adjusted from said remote location from the indication of said signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 10 in which said particles are radioactive particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 11 in which the radioactive particles and liquid are thoroughly mixed to provide a dispersion which is discharged from said container in an accurately measured amount into a storage container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process of claim 11 in which the dispersion of a predetermined proportion of radioactive particles in liquid is thoroughly mixed and pumped from said container in measured amounts after the amount of said liquid is adjusted, thereafter a dispersion containing more of said radioactive particles and excess liquid is fed to said container, and the process is repeated.
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) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |