Process for encapsulating radionuclides

Compositions – Organic luminescent material containing compositions – Scintillating or lasing compositions

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61 5, G21F 924

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active

039591727

ABSTRACT:
Radionuclides are immobilized in virtually an insoluble form by reacting at a temperature of at least 90.degree.C as an aqueous alkaline mixture having a solution pH of at least 10, a source of silicon, the radionuclide waste and a metal cation, the molar ratio of silicon to said metal cation being on the order of unity to produce a gel from which complex metalosilicates crystallize to entrap the radionuclides within the resultant condensed crystal lattice. The product is a silicious stone-like material which is virtually insoluble and non-leachable in alkaline or neutral environment. One embodiment provides for the formation of the complex metalo-silicates, such as synthetic pollucite, by gel formation with subsequent calcination to the solid product; another embodiment utilizes a hydrothermal process, either above ground or deep within basalt caverns, at greater than atmospheric pressures and a temperature between 90.degree. - 500.degree.C to form complex metalo-silicates, such as strontium aluminosilicate. Finally, another embodiment provides for the formation of complex metalo-silicates, such as synthetic pollucite, by slurrying an alkaline mixture of bentonite or kaolinite with a source of silicon and the radionuclide waste in salt form.
In each of the embodiments a mobile system is achieved whereby the metalo-silicate constituents reorient into a condensed crystal lattice forming a cage structure with the condensed metalo-silicate lattice which completely surrounds the radionuclide and traps the radionuclide therein; thus rendering the radionuclide virtually insoluble.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3252757 (1966-05-01), Granquist
patent: 3340202 (1967-09-01), Olombel
"GE Gel May Hold Radioactive Waste" Chemical & Engineering News Vol. 36, Jan. 1958 p. 42.
"A Hydrothermally Synthesized Iron Analog of Pollucite - Its Structure Significance" Am. Minerologist 48 p. 100-109 (1963).

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