Treating Solids [g21f-9/28] Patents (Class 976/DIG391)
  • Patent number: 5758254
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for recovering metal beryllium from waste beryllium that has become radioactive in the reaction with neutrons, by converting the radioactive beryllium to halogenated beryllium with a halogen gas such as chlorine, bromine or iodine, and subsequently submitting the halogenated beryllium to thermal decomposition. In this way, the invention allows effective recovery of metal beryllium from waste, radioactive beryllium, thereby reducing production of radioactive wastes and ensuring an economical use of natural resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Katsuyoshi Tatenuma, Yoshio Hasegawa, Taketoshi Takeuchi, Naoki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5288435
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the incineration and vitrification of radioactive waste materials. Waste materials are fed into a melter containing molten glass wherein the waste is incinerated and vitrified into the glass matrix. Gases produced are combusted in an extended plenum area preferably designed to provide a residence time of at least 3 seconds. A portion of the sulfur compounds in the combustion gases are incorporated into a solid matrix of gypsum by contacting the sulfur compounds with an aqueous solution and calcium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Sachse, Larry R. Eisenstatt, Walter P. Drosjack, David H. Weigle, C. Patrick Keegan