Abstract: Radioactive combustible waste can be processed with hot concentrated sulfuric acid and the resulting residue material immobilized in glass with retention of volatile radio-ruthenium, if present. In addition, the process features minimal material handling. The process combines a sulfuric acid digestion treatment of waste with a drying, desulfation, and glassification of the resulting acid residue into a non-dispersible solid of reduced volume. An optional ceramic product can be made without desulfation of the residue.

Abstract: An improved method and system for chemically digesting low level radioactive, solid waste material having a high through-put. The solid waste material is added to an annular vessel (10) substantially filled with concentrated sulfuric acid. Concentrated nitric acid or nitrogen dioxide is added to the sulfuric acid within the annular vessel while the sulfuric acid is reacting with the solid waste. The solid waste is mixed within the sulfuric acid so that the solid waste is substantilly fully immersed during the reaction. The off gas from the reaction and the products slurry residue is removed from the vessel during the reaction.