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Submersible media filters and submersible columns for use in removing radioactive isotopes and other contaminants from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop of a nuclear reactor system or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool. Generally, these submersible media filters

Submersible media filters and submersible columns for use in removing radioactive isotopes and other contaminants from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop of a nuclear reactor system or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool. Generally, these submersible media filters and submersible columns are adapted to be submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the filters are adapted to be vitrified after use, resulting in a stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume compared to the original filter. In several embodiments, the submersible media filters and submersible columns include isotope-specific media (ISM).

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1. A submersible media filter to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials comprising: an inner filter member and an outer filter member, said outer filter member being pleated, having a pleated inside surface, and forming a cylindrical center

1. A submersible media filter to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials comprising: an inner filter member and an outer filter member, said outer filter member being pleated, having a pleated inside surface, and forming a cylindrical center opening, said inner filter member being at least one of a fiber or spun glass non-pleated material having a cylindrical shape and a cylindrical non-pleated outside surface configured to insert into the cylindrical center opening formed in the outer filter member forming separate interstitial spaces between inner pleats of the outer filter member with rounded convex inner surfaces formed by the outside surface of the inner filter member and oppositely declining surfaces extending down to the round convex inner surfaces formed by the inside surface of the outer filter member to hold media to remove the at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials passed through said media, wherein said media comprise at least one of a bead material and a granular material; andan inner mesh screen configured to insert into a cylindrical center opening formed in the inner filter member and including apertures to pass the liquid waste material into and through the inner filter member, media, and outer filter member and an outer mesh screen configured to extend outside of the outer filter member and including apertures for the liquid waste to exit after being filtered by the inner filter member, media, and outer filter members, said inner mesh screen and said outer mesh screen to hold said inner filter member said media, and said outer filter member between said inner mesh screen and said outer mesh screen. 2. The submersible media filter of claim 1 wherein said media include glass-based microspheres. 3. The submersible media filter of claim 1 wherein said media include at least one of Herschelite, modified Herschelite, and hydroxyapatite. 4. The submersible media filter of claim 1 wherein the inner filter and the outer filter comprise a fiber or spun glass material and the inner and outer mesh screen comprise a steel material. 5. The submersible media filter of claim 1 wherein said media include ion-specific media. 6. The submersible media filter of claim 1, wherein the inner filter and the outer filter comprise spun glass with an isotope-specific media. 7. The submersible media filter of claim 5 wherein said media include at least one of glass-based microspheres, Herschelite, modified Herschelite, hydroxyapatite, and titanosilicate media. 8. The submersible media filter of claim 5 further comprising glass-forming materials to assist in vitrification of said media. 9. A submersible media column to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials comprising: a casing including a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall configured to hold a column of at least one of granular media and bead media to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials passed through said media; anda protective mesh screen configured to extend over at least one of the top or bottom of the casing and the column of media, wherein the casing is configured to insert into a system including:an input flow line to deliver liquid waste materials containing the at least one of radioactive isotopes and ions into the top end and direct the liquid waste materials down onto a top portion of the granular media in an axial flow, through the column of granular media; anda central column to direct liquid exiting out the bottom end of the casing upward along a side of the central column. 10. The submersible media column of claim 9 wherein said media include ion-specific media. 11. The submersible column of claim 9 wherein said protective mesh screen includes stainless steel. 12. The submersible column of claim 9 wherein said media include at least one of glass-based microspheres, Herschelite, modified Herschelite, hydroxyapatite, and titanosilicate media. 13. The submersible column of claim 9 wherein said media and said casing are disposable. 14. The submersible column of claim 9 further comprising glass-forming materials to assist in vitrification of said media and said casing. 15. A submersible media column comprising: a casing including a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall configured to hold a column of at least one of granular media and bead media to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials passed through said media; anda protective mesh screen configured to support the casing and the column of media, wherein the casing is configured to receive liquid waste materials containing the at least one of radioactive isotopes and ions through the top end and direct the liquid waste materials down onto a top portion of the granular media in an axial flow, through the column of granular media, and out through a bottom portion of the granular media and the bottom end of the casing,the submersible media column inserted into a system including:a housing including tubes to retain multiple ones of the submersible column;a central column to receive the water directed out through the bottom end of the casing of the submersible column; anda central pump tube to draw the water upward. 16. A submersible media filter to remove at least one of selected radioactive isotopes and selected ions from liquid waste materials comprising: an outer elongated pleated filter member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and forming a center opening;an elongated circular fiber or glass non-pleated inner filter member inserted into the center opening formed in the outer pleated filter member including an inner surface, and an outer surface abutting against inside corners of the inner surface of the pleated filter member to form interstitial spaces between the inner surface of the outer pleated filter member and the outer surface of the inner non-pleated filter member;at least one of a granular media and a bead-like media located in interstitial spaces formed between the inner surface of the outer pleated filter member and the outer surface of the inner non-pleated filter member to remove selected radioactive isotopes from liquid waste materials;an inner mesh screen configured to insert into a cylindrical center opening formed in the inner filter member and including apertures for directing the liquid waste materials into and through the sides of the inner filter member and the outer filter member; andan outer mesh screen configured to extend outside of the outer filter member and including apertures for directing the liquid waste materials out from the sides of the outer elongated pleated filter member. 17. The submersible media filter of claim 16 wherein the center opening in the outer pleated filter member and the inner non-pleated filter member each have an elongated cylindrical shape. 18. The submersible media filter of claim 1 wherein said media include at least one of titanosilicate media and any inorganic media. 19. The submersible column of claim 9 wherein said media include at least one of organic based resin. 20. The submersible column of claim 9 wherein the pleated filter member and the non-pleated filter member are a fiber or glass material and the inner and outer mesh screen are a steel material.