METHOD OF RECYCLING RADIOACTIVE WASTES Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC G21F9/12 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the technology of purifying aquatic media from radioactive contaminants and their subsequent immobilisation and can be used for safe recycling of environmentally hazardous radioactive wastes. The proposed method of recycling radioactive wastes involves bringing an initial sample of radioactive wastes into contact with a selective sorption agent for a calculated period of time until maximum possible extraction of radioactive components, and subsequent immobilisation of the mixture at the industrial storage site. The selective sorption agent, mainly containing long-lived isotopes of technetium and neptunium, is powdered depleted uranium dioxide, particle size of which does not exceed 50 mcm, in form of an aqueous suspension with ratio of solid phase to liquid phase of 2.0-2.5 g/l respectively. The sorption process is carried out at temperature ranging from room temperature to 95°C, at normal pressure, in aerobic or anaerobic conditions.

EFFECT: invention increases efficiency and rate of extracting radioactive components, and allows for converting recycled products into irreversible and environmentally safe forms.

2 cl, 5 ex, 1 tbl