Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for the treatment of containerized waste, such as hazardous, radioactive and/or mixed waste. The apparatuses and methods employ a combination of thermal decomposition and specialized lances.

Abstract: Treatment of radioactive waste comprising organic compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds and/or halogen-containing compounds. An apparatus comprises a reaction vessel comprising a filter for carrying out thermal treatment of the waste and a thermal oxidizer. Utilizing co-reactants to reduce gas phase sulfur and halogen from treatment of wastes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing hazardous wastes directly from 55-gallon drums through the use of pyrolysis and steam reforming. The method is based on a pyrolyzer using heat to vaporize organics that are present in the hazardous wastes. The waste is heated in the original drums to avoid the bulk handling of alpha radionuclides and to ensure criticality control. At pyrolysis temperatures, all liquids and organics in the drums will evaporate and volatize. The resulting waste in the drums is a dry, inert, inorganic matrix with carbon char containing radioactive metals. The off-gas produced by pyrolysis mainly consists of water vapor, volatized organics, and acid gases from the decomposition of various plastics and other organics present in the waste drums. The off-gas produced by the pyrolysis is then collected and fed into an off-gas treatment system that is in fluid communication with pyrolyzer operated under oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for conversion of alkali metals, heavy metals, halogens, and sulfur into mineral products. The system includes a single reaction vessel. To begin the process, co-reactants such as lime and clay are mixed with waste feeds containing alkali metals, heavy metals, halogens, and sulfur. This mixture is then introduced into the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel is operated under reducing conditions. After the mineral products are allowed to form, they are collected from the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing hazardous wastes directly from 55-gallon drums through the use of pyrolysis and steam reforming. The method is based on a pyrolyzer using heat to vaporize organics that are present in the hazardous wastes. The waste is heated in the original drums to avoid the bulk handling of alpha radionuclides and to ensure criticality control. At pyrolysis temperatures, all liquids and organics in the drums will evaporate and volatize. The resulting waste in the drums is a dry, inert, inorganic matrix with carbon char containing radioactive metals. The off-gas produced by pyrolysis mainly consists of water vapor, volatized organics, and acid gases from the decomposition of various plastics and other organics present in the waste drums. The off-gas produced by the pyrolysis is then collected and fed into an off-gas treatment system that is in fluid communication with pyrolyzer operated under oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A method of waste stabilization by mineralization of waste material in situ in a treatment container suitable or treatment, transit, storage and disposal. The waste material may be mixed with mineralizing additives and, optionally, reducing additives, in the treatment container or in a separate mixing vessel. The mixture is then subjected to heat in the treatment container to heat-activate mineralization of the mixture and form a stable, mineralized, monolithic solid. This stabilized mass may then be transported in the same treatment container for storage and disposal.

Abstract: A system and method is described having a single reaction vessel (12) using superheated stream optionally augmented by oxygen for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. Reduction takes place quickly when a stream/oxygen mixture is injected into a fluidized bed (22) of ceramic beads. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel (12) and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The speed of the fluidizing gas mixture agitates the beads that then help to break up solid wastes and to allow self-cleaning through abrasion thereby eliminating agglomerates, and the oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.

Abstract: A system and method using superheated steam optionally augmented by oxygen for the reduction of nitrogen oxides present for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. The system includes a single reaction vessel, or optionally, multiple reaction vessels in operational communication. Reduction takes place quickly when a steam/oxygen mixture is injected into the reaction vessel or vessels. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel or vessels and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.

Abstract: A method and device for dewatering most liquid/solid solutions and slurries is described. A dewatering device having a dewatering pump in fluid communication with a filter rack with vertically arrayed filter elements that is carried by a container. To begin the dewatering process, the filter rack is lowered to the bottom of the container and the liquid/solid slurry is introduced. Next, the dewatering pump draws the liquid from the slurry into the filter rack and then to the pump. When dewatering efficiency decreases, the dewatering operation is momentarily stopped and the filter elements of the filter rack are backpulsed with air and raised to dislodge the filter cakes that have formed. The filter rack is then relowered and the dewatering operation continues. These steps of dewatering, backpulsing, raising the filter rack, and lowering filter rack are continued until the container is full of dewatered solids.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A system and method is described having a single reaction vessel using superheated steam optionally augmented by oxygen for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. Reduction takes place quickly when a steam/oxygen mixture is injected into a fluidized bed of ceramic beads. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The speed of the fluidizing gas mixture agitates the beads that then help to break up solid wastes and to allow self-cleaning through abrasion thereby eliminating agglomerates, and the oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.

Abstract: A remote filling device for use with a shipping container is described. A shipping container with specialized connections can be remotely opened using a single lightweight tool using a single drive screw latching mechanism. The actuation of the latching mechanism also compresses seals between the filling device and dewatering connections on the container. Dewatering is accomplished using reusable, backwashable filters. Once the container is filled and dewatered, the filling device is remotely removed and a lightweight, reusable lid is remotely scaled to the container using a single screw latch remotely actuated.

Abstract: An organic waste decomposition system and method is described having two reaction vessels in tandem, each using superheated steam augmented by oxygen for decomposing a wide variety of organic compounds to reduce both mass and volume. Decomposition takes place quickly when a steam/oxygen mixture is injected into a fluidized bed of ceramic beads. The speed of the fluidizing gas mixture agitates the beads that then help to break up solid wastes, and the oxygen allows some oxidation to offset the thermal requirements of drying, pyrolysis, and steam reforming. Most of the pyrolysis takes place in the first stage, setting up the second stage for completion of pyrolysis and adjustment or gasification of the waste form using co-reactants to change the oxidation state of inorganics and using temperature to partition metallic wastes.