METHODS OF DECONTAMINATING SOILS CONTAINING HAZARDOUS NUCLEAR WASTE SUBSTANCES

摘要

Soil including sand and clays contaminated with nuclear waste materials are decontaminated by treating with anhydrous liquid ammonia alone or in combination with solvated electrons. Methods comprise concentrating radionuclides, such as plutonium and uranium in the fines of soil and clay to yield residual soil products which are sufficiently free of contaminants to allow reclamation. Economics are improved over aqueous systems since ammonia can be recovered and recycled. By concentrating nuclear wastes in soil fines space requirements ordinarily needed for storage of untreated soil and handling costs can be significantly reduced.