US4859367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waste solidification and disposal method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-10-02
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Granted: 1989-08-22
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Expires: 2007-10-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a new method for solidifying and disposing of waste. The waste is combined and mixed with an alkali-activated silico-aluminate geopolymer binder. The resulting mixture is bound together with a geopolymeric matrix. When allowed to set, it forms a hard, monolithic solid. The mixture is subjected to a suitable engineering process, such as casting or pressing, to produce a waste disposal product having superior long term stability.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Davidovits
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:55
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F11/00; C02F11/008; C04; C04B; C04B28/00; C04B28/006; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/04; G21F9/06; G21F9/16; G21F9/162; G21F9/28; G21F9/30; G21F9/301; G21F9/302; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P40/00; Y02P40/10; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for toxic mine tailings disposal, comprising: (a) preparing a concrete mixture by adding to the toxic mine tailings a mineral binder selected from the class of alkali-activated silico-aluminate geopolymers, to form a geopolymeric matrix of the poly(sialate) (--Si--O--Al--O--) and/or poly(sialate-siloxo) (--Si--O--Al--O--Si--O--) types, providing zeolitic properties associated with long-term durability as exemplified by archaeological records; (b) subjecting said concrete mixture to an engineering process involving casting or pressing, to form a raw tailing disposal product; (c) hardening said raw tailing disposal product to form an environmentally safe disposal product associated with archaeological long-term durability.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for toxic mine tailings disposal, comprising: (a) preparing a concrete mixture by adding to the toxic mine tailings a mineral binder selected from the class of alkali-activated silico-aluminate geopolymers, to form a geopolymeric matrix of the poly(sialate) (--Si--O--Al--O--) and/or poly(sialate-siloxo) (--Si--O--Al--O--Si--O--) types, providing zeolitic properties associated with long-term durability as exemplified by archaeological records; (b) subjecting said concrete mixture to an engineering process involving casting or pressing, to form a raw tailing disposal product; (c) hardening said raw tailing disposal product to form an environmentally safe disposal product associated with archaeological long-term durability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said geopolymeric matrix the molar ratio of oxides Al 2 O 3 /M 2 O is in the range of 1.5 to 4.0, where M is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and mixtures of sodium and potassium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said oxide M 2 O is provided by sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and mixtures of KOH and NaOH or products producing NaOH and/or KOH, in said concrete mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said oxide M 2 O is provided by water soluble alkali silicates or products producing water soluble alkali silicates when reacting with NaOH and/or KOH, in said concrete mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said oxide Al 2 O 3 is provided by an aluminosilicate oxide with the cation Al in 4-fold coordination, in said mineral binder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said oxide Al 2 O 3 is provided by clay, in said toxic mine tailing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said clay is of the kaolinitic type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein hardening is obtained by applying simultaneously pressure and temperature, said temperature being in the range of 95° C. to 180° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said engineering process involves the addition of a blowing agent to produce a foamed raw tailing disposal product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said engineering process involves the fabrication of elements constituting a synthetic geochemical barrier for use as a capping or a lining material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said engineering process involves the fabrication of elements constituting a synthetic geochemical barrier for use as a capping or a lining material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said engineering process involves the fabrication of elements constituting a synthetic geochemical barrier for use as a capping or a lining material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-21 | 1993-02-20 | 1993-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-21 | 1997-02-20 | 1997-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-21 | 2001-02-20 | 2001-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |