Abstract: The invention provides a method and processing system for removing both anionic and cationic technetium complexes from an aqueous solution by adjusting the pH of the solution to greater than approximately 2, and directing the solution into an integrated resin and electrochemical plating device. The integrated resin and plating device has a resin bed or resin membrane in which is disposed one or more cathodes, and one or more anodes. A potential generator produces at least a 1 volt potential between the cathodes and the anodes. As the solution passes through the resin, the technetium complexes are adsorbed onto it. When a sufficient concentration of technetium complexes is adsorbed, the plating process can atlernatively be driven to plate out the technetium onto the cathodes, or to collect various species in system anolytes/catholytes.

Abstract: A method and system for processing waste dries and reforms a sludge stream of the waste with a first reformed effluent stream to produce a gas effluent stream and a solids effluent stream. The gas effluent stream is reformed further to produce the first effluent stream, which is then directed back to the sludge stream.

Abstract: An electrochemical leaching system for cleaning contaminated fines. The system has a waste vessel for receiving and holding a contaminated fines and lixiviant mixture. On a side of the waste vessel is an anolyte vessel holding an anolyte fluid. An anolyte barrier separates the waste and anolyte vessels. On an opposite side of the waste vessel is a catholyte vessel holding a catholyte fluid. A catholyte barrier separates the waste and catholyte vessels. A potential between an anode in the anolyte vessel and a cathode in the catholyte vessel ionizes the fines contaminants into anionic and cationic contaminants in the lixiviant. The anolyte and catholyte barriers allow the anionic and cationic contaminants, respectively, to flow from the lixiviant and into the anolyte and catholyte fluids in their respective vessels without allowing bulk transfer therebetween. The anionic and cationic contaminants are then removed from the anolyte and catholyte fluids. A cleaner lixiviant and fines exits the system.

Abstract: An inexpensive electrowinning electrode has a cathode that is a porous form made from conductive filaments, and an anode. The electrowinning process dissolves a contaminated metal stream into an electrolyte to form a solution flow of dissolve metal and contaminants. Next, the solution is oxidized. Then, the dissolved metals in the solution are plated onto the porous cathode.

Abstract: A method for determining hydrogen content in a compound is disclosed. This method generally comprises heating the sample to sufficient temperatures to effect pyrolytic conversion of any hydrogen containing compounds in the sample to hydrogen gas, and measuring the hydrogen content evolved by this conversion. In a preferred embodiment, this is carried out in a tube furnace inerted and purged with a noble gas. An apparatus for determining hydrogen content in a compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, such as a containment system (10), having sides (12) with walls (2) or (24) is made; in one method by using cast, cooled, melted, radioactive metal components where the melted metal has a specific activity over 130 Bq/g; or by providing a contaminated material in the form of a solid, liquid or mixture, and then mixing the contaminated material, to which no more than about 15 weight % of uncontaminated material has been reacted, with a binder, followed by forming the composition into a containment system and then curing it into a mass which contains both contaminated material, and uncontaminated binder acting as a matrix for the contaminated material. This article need not be a containment system but can be a wide variety of objects which are made out of radioactive waste, hazardous waste, and their mixtures.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for the suppression of foams during the processing of streams containing waste materials. An additive is introduced into a waste stream and the waste stream is processed for a period of time at an elevated temperature and substantially atmospheric pressure. The tendency toward foam formation is suppressed by particles from the additive becoming suspended in the waste stream. The waste materials containing a substantial reduction of foam are removed from the processing system without the usual spattering and formation of sticky residue which causes fowling and frequent shutdowns of the processing system.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention converts harmful heteroatoms such as halogens, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous in a heteroatom-substituted organic feed stream to less harmful materials by reacting with a reactive gas, such as steam, adjacent a reactive material which has been coated on a porous membrane. The reaction produces secondary products such as acid gases and/or that are neutralized or otherwise rendered innocuous by a reaction with the reactive material which coats the porous membrane. The solid products from the reaction are deposited onto the coating and can be periodically removed by means known in the industry. A gaseous effluent rendered substantially harmless passes through the porous membrane and is either vented or sent for further treatment by conventional means.

Abstract: An article, such as a containment system (10), having sides (12) with walls (2) or (24) is made; in one method by using cast, cooled, melted, radioactive metal components where the melted metal has a specific activity over 130 Bq/g; or by providing a contaminated material in the form of a solid, liquid or mixture, and then mixing the contaminated material, to which no more than about 15 weight % of uncontaminated material has been reacted, with a binder, followed by forming the composition into a containment system and then curing it into a mass which contains both contaminated material, and uncontaminated binder acting as a matrix for the contaminated material. This article need not be a containment system but can be a wide variety of objects which are made out of radioactive waste, hazardous waste, and their mixtures.

Abstract: Methods for the encapsulation and solidification of waste material, particularly radioactive ion exchange resin bead media, are provided along with the apparatus to accomplish the methods, and the final encapsulated storage article. The ion exchange resin is solidified within a containment vessel by the addition of a thermosettable polymeric binder without the need for a pre-mixing vessel. The resulting exothermic conditions occasioned by the curing of the polymer are controlled by the sequential delivery of the polymeric binder, preferably through an injection lance.

Abstract: A container having a bottom, a sidewall attached to the bottom and the sidewall terminates in an open end. A closure member can be removably affixed to close the open end. There is a downwardly extending lip on the closure member that has an inner wall surface opposed to an outer wall surface. One of the inner and outer wall surfaces of the lip slidably adjoins one of the inner and outer wall surfaces of the container wall. A groove is formed in each of the adjoining wall surfaces such that when the closure is mated to the container, the grooves are brought into registry with one another and jointly form a locking passageway within which there is received an elongated locking member of a size to be received within the locking passageway to thereby prevent axial movement between the container and the closure member. The closure member further includes a port that communicates the locking passageway with the exterior of the closure member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for crushing differently shaped and/or sized containers of waste material without disassembly of the device. A mold, having an inner cavity sized so as to accommodate a larger container, has a sleeve located therein which can be locked to the mold for simultaneous operation. The sleeve has an inner cavity of a shape and size so as to contain the smaller container and also to allow a ram to move through the sleeve cavity and compress the smaller container. The ram also has a structure for locking the sleeve to the ram so as to permit the sleeve ram combination to crush a larger container which has been located in the mold cavity. The locking and unlocking of the mold/sleeve or sleeve/ram as well as the mold movement and ram movement are all remotely controlled so as to permit crushing of various sized and shaped containers without disassembly of the press and the consequent exposure of workers to possible hazardous conditions.