Abstract: A process for destruction of hazardous materials in a medium of supercritical water without the addition of an oxidant material. The harzardous material is converted to simple compounds which are relatively benign or easily treatable to yield materials which can be discharged into the environment. Treatment agents may be added to the reactants in order to bind certain materials, such as chlorine, in the form of salts or to otherwise facilitate the destruction reactions.

Abstract: Mineral values are recovered from underground formations, and pollution of the formation is substantially diminished if not eliminated, by determining the geometry of an ore body and thereafter isolating the body by the formation of an impermeable barrier thereabout which has the capability of retaining leaching fluid therewithin. Leaching fluid remains downhole without substantial dilution by formation fluid, and conversely without pollution of the surrounding formation, until the mineral values are chemically changed into a recoverable substance which is subsequently pumped to the surface of the earth. In one embodiment of the invention, uranium values are recovered by the use of an organic extractant liquid admixed with an acid aqueous leaching fluid by homogenizing the two solutions prior to pumping the mixture downhole into contact with the ore deposit.

Abstract: Uranyl ion in solution in tri-n-butyl phosphate is readily photochemically reduced to U(IV). The product U(IV) may effectively be used in the Purex process for treating spent nuclear fuels to reduce Pu(IV) to Pu(III). The Pu(III) is readily separated from uranium in solution in the tri-n-butyl phosphate by an aqueous strip.