Abstract: A system for disposing of radioactive mixed liquid and particulate waste material from nuclear reactors by solidifying the liquid components into a free standing hardened mass with a syrup of partially polymerized particles of urea formaldehyde in water and a liquid curing agent.

Abstract: A system for disposing of radioactive waste material from nuclear reactors by solidifying the liquid components to produce an encapsulated mass adapted for disposal by burial. The method contemplates mixing of radioactive waste materials, with or without contained solids, with a setting agent capable of solidifying the waste liquids into a free standing hardened mass, placing the resulting liquid mixture in a container with a proportionate amount of a curing agent to effect solidification under controlled conditions, and thereafter burying the container and contained solidified mixture. The setting agent is a water-extendable polymer consisting of a suspension of partially polymerized particles of urea formaldehyde in water, and the curing agent is sodium bisulfate.

Abstract: A method of disposing of wet radioactive waste materials such as those generated in the water used to cool atomic reactors, comprising combining the waste material with a hydrophilic resin in proportions sufficient to provide a solid mass of the resin with the radioactive waste component distributed within. In its preferred form, the waste material is concentrated by separating water from the radioactive portions thereof by methods such as evaporation, taking up the waste components with an ion exchange resin and separating the resin from the bulk of the water, or by the addition of flocculating agents or the like and filtering. The preferred hydrophilic resinous material is a conventional urea-formaldehyde dispersion, which is partially polymerized and capable of taking up water and fully polymerizing upon the addition of an acidic curing agent.

Abstract: A shipping container overpack for safe transportation of radioactive and other hazardous materials provides a leakproof receptacle for containing and protecting the material to be shipped against accidental release and dispersal into the surrounding environment. The receptacle is of conventional size and shape for shipping containers and has spaced inner and outer shells with a layer of foamed polyurethane occupying the space therebetween to provide sealing, insulation and reinforcement. The polyurethane foam is rigidly compressible and adheres to and reinforces the spaced inner and outer shells to provide a stress skin structure. Gusset plates are secured to the inner surface of the outer shell in covering relation to the corners and edges, defining a reinforcing framework of triangular cross-section tubular elements. Relatively rigid polyurethane foam is containd within the tubular elements to add further reinforcement and redundant sealing capacity.

Abstract: A system for disposing of radioactive waste material from nuclear reactors by solidifying the liquid components to produce an encapsulated mass adapted for disposal by burial. The method contemplates mixing of radioactive waste materials, with or without contained solids, with a setting agent capable of solidifying the waste liquids into a free standing hardened mass, placing the resulting liquid mixture in a container with a proportionate amount of a curing agent to effect solidification under controlled conditions, and thereafter burying the container and contained solidified mixture. The setting agent is a water-extendable polymer consisting of a suspension of partially polymerized particles of urea formaldehyde in water, and the curing agent is sodium bisulfate.

Abstract: A method of disposing of wet radioactive waste materials such as those generated in the water used to cool atomic reactors, comprising combining the waste material with a hydrophilic resin in proportions sufficient to provide a solid mass of the resin with the radioactive waste component distributed within. In its preferred form, the waste material is concentrated by separating water from the radioactive portions thereof by methods such as evaporation, taking up the waste components with an ion exchange resin and separating the resin from the bulk of the water, or by the addition of flocculating agents or the like and filtering. The preferred hydrophilic resinous material is a conventional urea-formaldehyde dispersion, which is partially polymerized and capable of taking up water and fully polymerizing upon the addition of an acidic curing agent.

Abstract: Methods are discussed for treating liquid and particulate radioactive waste materials for transportation and storage. The disclosed methods include the reading of an ohmmeter connected across a pair of separate and mutually insulated liquid level sensing electrical contacts arranged to contact the surface of a mixture of radioactive waste materials and a setting agent when a container is filled to a predetermined level with that mixture and determining from variations in the resistance between the sensing contacts the time when the mixture is solidified. The disclosed methods also include the flowing of a coating material such as the setting agent unmixed with the radioactive material over the surface of the solidified mixture after the resistance between the sensing contacts reaches a maximum and then causing the coating material to harden and produce a surface free of waste water.

Abstract: A repository for holding and storing fissile or other hazardous materials either under or above the ground is provided by enclosing one or more inner containers, such as standard steel drums, in a larger, corrosion-resistant outer shell, with a layer of foamed polyurethane occupying the space therebetween. The polyurethane foam is free of voids at its interfaces with the inner container and outer shell, and adheres to and reinforces same to provide a stress skin structure. Protection is afforded by the chemical and physical characteristics of the polyurethane foam against destructive influences such as water vapor intrusion, package leakage and damaging effects of the environment, such as freezing, electrolysis, chemical and bacterial action. The outer shell is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the inner container and is made of a tube of bituminized fibre material with endcaps of exterior grade plywood treated with wood preservative.