Patent Application for Solidified Body of Radioactive Waste

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba have been working to develop a technique for solidifying radioactive waste, which poses a significant threat to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly. The team, led by inventors Shohei Kawano, Yoshiyuki Kawaharada, Masamichi Obata, Hirotada Hayashi, Yoshiko Haruguchi, and Akio Sayano, has proposed a new method for producing a solidified body of radioactive waste. This technique aims to address the concerns associated with the existing methods, such as the evaporation of radioactive cesium and the contamination of heating furnaces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent application describes a method for producing a solidified body of radioactive waste that involves using an inorganic adsorbent, such as chabazite or crystalline silico-titanate, to adsorb cesium and/or strontium.
  • The inventors have identified a need to suppress the evaporation of radioactive cesium during the firing process, as it poses a risk of contamination to the heating furnace.
  • The proposed method involves varying the firing temperature and press pressure to optimize the solidification process, resulting in a stable solidified body with properties such as high density and compression strength.
  • The inventors claim that the new method is capable of treating a large amount of waste with a simple process, reducing the need for large-scale machine facilities and minimizing treatment time.
  • The patent application includes data on the measurement results of the shape, volume reduction ratio, density, and compression strength of the solidified body under various conditions.

Statistics:

  • The volatilization rate of cesium adsorbed to an inorganic adsorbent is reported to be between 0.02 to 0.22% when heated to and retained at 1200°C for 3 hours.
  • As many as 2279 patent applications were filed as of October 2015, with this application being one of the 46 patents filed by KAWANO, Shohei, and others.
  • The patent was filed on August 30, 2013, and was posted online on October 29, 2015.

Sources:

  • KAWANO, Shohei; KAWAHARADA, Yoshiyuki; OBATA, Masamichi; HAYASHI, Hirotada; HARUGUCHI, Yoshiko; SAYANO, Akio. Solidified Body of Radioactive Waste and Production Method Thereof. Filed August 30, 2013 and posted October 29, 2015. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=2279&p=46&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=20151022.PD.&OS=PD/20151022&RS=PD/20151022
  • NewsRx LLC. Energy Weekly News. November 13, 2015.