초록 ▼

A method and system for separating, collecting and isolating radioactive metallic elements from low grade, dry, solid non-metallic nuclear bulk waste that includes physically degrading the low grade waste by shredding or grinding into small pieces, configuring the bulk waste into a waste stream, bom

A method and system for separating, collecting and isolating radioactive metallic elements from low grade, dry, solid non-metallic nuclear bulk waste that includes physically degrading the low grade waste by shredding or grinding into small pieces, configuring the bulk waste into a waste stream, bombarding the waste stream with microwave energy at a preselected frequency treating the waste stream in a time varying magnetic field, causing the radioactive particles to disperse away from the bulk waste and collecting the separated micron sized radioactive particles. The present method and system provide for a low cost, non-complex system of separating out conductive radioactive particles from essentially non-metallic, dry, low grade nuclear waste allowing safe return to the environment of 95% to 99%, by volume, of the processed nuclear waste, greatly reducing the volume of nuclear waste that must be safely stored.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for separating and collecting radioactive conductive elements from low grade dry solids, predominately non-metallic nuclear bulk waste comprising the steps of:(a) physically degrading dry, solid, bulk low grade nuclear waste by shredding said bulk waste into smal

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for separating and collecting radioactive conductive elements from low grade dry solids, predominately non-metallic nuclear bulk waste comprising the steps of:(a) physically degrading dry, solid, bulk low grade nuclear waste by shredding said bulk waste into small pieces;(b) configuring the bulk nuclear waste into a waste stream layer of a predetermined depth;(c) generating a time varied magnetic field within a magnetic separating chamber;(d) disposing said bulk waste in said magnetic separation chamber;(e) separating radioactive particles from the bulk waste stream within a magnetic separation chamber;(f) gathering separated radioactive metallic particles at strategically located areas within said magnetic separation chamber;(g) removing said separated radioactive particles from said separation chamber whereby the remaining bulk waste material constitutes non-radioactive, non-metallic waste.