US4643846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the treatment of radioactive sodium
Assignee: Doryokuro Kakunenryo Kaihatsu Jigyodan
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Filing: 1984-11-19
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2004-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for the treatment of radioactive sodium is provided which comprises the steps of forming radioactive sodium amalgam by mixing radioactive sodium with mercury; reacting the radioactive sodium amalgam with water to form mercury and radioactive sodium hydroxide; recycling the mercury into the step of forming radioactive sodium amalgam to be mixed with the radioactive sodium; and solidifying the radioactive sodium hydroxide in the presence of a solidifying material to be confined in a stable solidified body.
Inventors
- 👤 Makoto Kanai
- 👤 Hideaki Aikawa
- 👤 Eiichi Inada
- 👤 Katsuyuki Ohtsuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:41
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01D; C01D1/00; C01D1/04; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/28; G21F9/30; G21F9/301; G21F9/302; G21F9/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A process for the treatment of radioactive sodium, comprising the steps of forming radioactive sodium amalgam by mixing radioactive sodium with mercury; reacting said radioactive sodium amalgam with water to form mercury and radioactive sodium hydroxide; recycling said mercury into the step of forming radioactive sodium amalgam to be mixed with the radioactive sodium; and solidifying said radioactive sodium hydroxide in the presence of a solidifying material to be confined in a stable solidified body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for the treatment of radioactive sodium, comprising the steps of forming radioactive sodium amalgam by mixing radioactive sodium with mercury; reacting said radioactive sodium amalgam with water to form mercury and radioactive sodium hydroxide; recycling said mercury into the step of forming radioactive sodium amalgam to be mixed with the radioactive sodium; and solidifying said radioactive sodium hydroxide in the presence of a solidifying material to be confined in a stable solidified body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the radioactive sodium hydroxide is solidified after being neutralized with an acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the solidifying material is selected from a vitrifiable substance, a plastics, a cement or an asphalt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process according to claim 1, which further comprises separating a part of the radioactive sodium amalgam to be heated to form vaporized mercury and a residue containing radioactive impurities, said radioactive impurities being entrained with the radioactive sodium and contaminating the radioactive sodium amalgam; recycling said vaporized mercury into the step of forming radioactive sodium amalgam to be mixed with the radioactive sodium; and solidifying said residue containing radioactive impurities in the solidifying step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the solidifying material is glass, and the solidifying step comprises heat-melting the radioactive sodium hydroxide with glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process according to claim 5, wherein water contained in an exhaust gas generated during the heatmelting of the radioactive sodium hydroxide with glass is recycled for reuse in the step of reacting the radioactive sodium amalgam with water.
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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |