PREPARATION OF SYNTHETIC ROCKS

摘要

The invention provides a process for preparing a synthetic rock material which includes the step of gelling a feed material to produce a precursor for the synthetic rock material. The feed material includes appropriate chemical compounds for the formation of a given composition of synthetic rock material and at least one of the chemical compounds is in the form of a colloidal dispersion of a hydrated chemical compound. The hydrated chemical compound may be for example hydrated titanium dioxide. In accordance with the present invention it is possible to produce a precursor having a density of greater than 1 g. ml<-><1>. Synthetic rock material in accordance with the present invention may be used in connection with the immobilisation of radioactive waste.