Process of immobilising metallic sodium in glass

摘要

The locking up of metal sodium in the form of glass comprises: (a) introducing, in a dispersed form, a vitrified matrix precursor, the metal sodium and sufficient Fe2O3 to oxidize the sodium into a reactor; (b) placing the constituents into contact to produce a homogenous mixture; (c) raising the mixture to 1000-1600 degrees C to melt the mixture, with the metal sodium now in the form of sodium oxide; and (d) recovering the molten mixture and cooling it to produce a vitrified matrix of homogenous composition integrating the sodium as an oxide constituent. The vitrified matrix precursor may be made from silica with calcium oxide and/or an oxide of boron.