METHOD OF ENCAPSULATING NUCLEAR WASTE

摘要

Method of encapsulating a solution of nuclear waste, where the nuclear waste is at least 10% sodium or nitrate. A composition is prepared in an alcohol of from 1 to 99% of a silicon alkoxide and from 1 to 99% of a boron alkoxide. The pH of the nuclear waste solution is adjusted to from 4 to 6 and the pH of the composition is adjusted to match. The composition is dried to from 50 to 75% of its original volume and is mixed with up to about 30% of the solution of nuclear waste, thereby forming a gel. The mixture is dried and heated at up to about 500 DEG C. Finally, it is consolidated either by warm pressing at from 400 to 800 DEG C at from 40,000 to 100,000 psi, or by melting at from 700 to 1150 DEG C.