Biaxial casting method and apparatus for isolating radioactive waste

摘要

Hazardous radioactive waste is compacted and cast into safely handled monolithic castings having a radiation barrier wall completely enclosing the radioactive waste by centrifugal casting processes in which the barrier wall may be either a pre-formed shell transported to the jobsite or it may be formed by biaxial centrifugal casting and curing of the barrier wall in a mold. When a pre-formed shell is used, means provided for thickening the radiation barrier if necessary by biaxial casting of additional barrier material inside of the shell. Castable radioactive material is cast inside the barrier wall before removal of the casting mold from the finished cast monolith. The cast monolith is supported for rotation as the mold is removed therefrom so that additional impact resisting and radiation barrier material can also easily be applied to the exterior surface monolith if radiation leakage exceeds tolerance levels.