RU2318260C2 - Aluminum-phosphate ceramics for waste storage and method for waste treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: solid forms of waste and methods for waste treatment.

SUBSTANCE: one of proposed alternative methods for waste treatment that may be found suited, for instance, in handling detrimental (hazardous) waste includes mixing of waste component with aluminum oxide and acid phosphate component in suspension. Aluminum-to-phosphate molar ratio in suspension is higher than unity. Water can evaporate from suspension in the course of suspension mixing at temperature of about 140-200 °C. Mixed up suspension is solidified to obtain solid waste. This solid form of waste has nonaqueous aluminum phosphate with at least residual part of waste components bound therein.

EFFECT: enhanced effectiveness and reliability of radioactive waste burial.

84 cl, 3 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for treating waste and to solid waste forms. Aspects of the invention may be useful, in particular, in the treatment of streams of radioactive waste and streams of other hazardous waste with a view to their subsequent long-term storage and / or disposal.

State of the art

A number of solutions have been proposed for the long-term storage and disposal of various waste streams. The choice of solution for the disposal of a specific type of waste depends in part on the nature of the waste. Reliable and cost-effective disposal of, for example, hazardous waste is a difficult problem to solve. The streams of such hazardous waste may include one, two or more types of liquid waste, heterogeneous impurities, inorganic sludge, heavy metals, organic liquids, contaminated soil, and radioactive by-products of the production of nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. (In the context of the present description, the term “hazardous waste” may include nuclear materials that may not be classified as “hazardous waste” under relevant laws or regulations at the state, federal, or local levels). The treatment of high level waste is also associated with significant difficulties.

One of the proposed approaches to the long-term stabilization and storage of hazardous waste, in particular radioactive waste, is vitrification. Unfortunately, vitrification requires processing at very high temperatures. For example, US Patent No. 6,258,994 proposes the vitrification of waste, including radioactive waste, at about 1050-1250 ° C and claims that typically vitrification processes take place, for example, at 1400 ° C. Heating waste to such high temperatures is quite expensive. Many hazardous waste streams contain hazardous materials that volatilize at “volatile” temperatures well below 1000 ° C. Some harmful components, for example, radioactive waste, have low "volatile" temperatures of about 200 ° C, and mercury chloride volatilizes at about 200-225 ° C. As a result, the vitrification of waste containing mercury chloride or other materials that evaporate at low temperatures generates secondary streams of harmful waste that require further processing.

Also proposed are the immobilization or stabilization of hazardous waste in ceramics, the formation of which can occur at low temperatures. International publication WO 92/15536 (included in its entirety in the list of references to this application), for example, proposes immobilization of hazardous waste in hydrated cement. A range of chemically bound phosphate phosphate ceramic (CBPC) products have been used to stabilize hazardous waste. For example, US patents Nos. 5645518 and 5846894 and published US patent application 2003/0092554 (each of these materials are fully included in the list of references to this application) offer various CBPC compositions suitable for low-temperature waste treatment. Conventional CBRS proposed for waste treatment are typically hydrated ceramic materials such as magnesium potassium phosphate hexahydrate (MgKPO ₄ · 6H ₂ O) or neberriite (MgHPO ₄ · 3H ₂ O).

Studies have confirmed that hydrated cements and CBRS are well suited to handle a wide range of waste streams. Unfortunately, it has been proven that the use of conventional cements and CBRS to stabilize radioactive waste, in particular high-level waste, is very problematic. Radioactive waste typically emits gamma rays and α, β, and n particles, which can break down bound water in hydrated cements and CBPC in a process called radiolysis to form a hydrogen-containing gas. This gas causes an increase in pressure in storage containers or in other forms of waste, which can cause the destruction of containers or forms of waste and the ingress of moisture from air, groundwater or other elements. Under such conditions, water can reflect nuclear radiation, increasing the chance that high-level waste can “go into critical condition” if the low load of the waste is not artificially maintained.

A significant volume and mass of the final waste form are also disadvantages of the waste storage forms in the compositions of CBPC and hydrated cement. If the waste stream is dry or is a liquid waste with a relatively low moisture content, additional water may be added to form the ceramic matrix. This increases both the volume and mass of the final waste form. Even in the case of liquid wastes with sufficient moisture content, water chemically bound in the system can significantly increase the total mass: water can make up, for example, over 40% of the molecular weight of hexahydrate. magnesium potassium phosphate. Additional mass and volume can increase the already high costs of storage and disposal of radioactive waste.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 schematically depicts a waste treatment apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 schematically depicts a system for producing acid phosphate in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 schematically shows the solid form of waste in accordance with the following variant of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview

Various embodiments of the present invention provide solid waste forms and waste treatment methods. Below are discussed aspects of the invention with reference to figures 1-3 in order to more detailed disclosure of specific options. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that other additional options are possible or that the practical implementation of the invention can be realized without some details of the options presented in figures 1-3.

One embodiment of the invention provides a waste treatment method that comprises mixing a waste component with alumina and an acidic phosphate component to form a slurry containing water. The waste component may contain hazardous waste, and the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the suspension may be greater than one. Water in the suspension can evaporate during the mixing of the suspension at a functional temperature of about 140-200 ° C. After mixing, the suspension may be solidified in a solid waste form containing anhydrous aluminum phosphate with a residual portion of the waste component bound therein.

A method for producing a stable waste form in an alternative embodiment includes reacting alumina with an acidic phosphate component to form a first suspension. The first suspension is at least partially dried at the first temperature to give a phosphate precursor. The phosphate precursor and the waste are mixed into a second suspension at a second temperature of about 106-175 ° C. while water is evaporated from the second suspension. After at least a large portion of the water has evaporated from the second suspension, the mixed second suspension may be solidified into solid waste. The solid form of waste includes the remainder of the alumina dispersed in a matrix containing anhydrous aluminum phosphate and at least a portion of the waste.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for producing a stable form of a smaller volume of waste from a radioactive material. According to this embodiment, the radioactive material is mixed with alumina and acid phosphate to form a suspension. The molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the suspension is from about 2 to 5, and the alumina may include aqueous alumina, anhydrous alumina or aluminum hydroxide. The suspension may be heated to a first temperature, which does not exceed about 200 ° C, but at least equal to the dissolution temperature of alumina with acid phosphate. In the process of mixing the suspension, water evaporates from the suspension at a second temperature of about 140-175 ° C until most of the water has evaporated. After evaporation of the water, the remaining product can be solidified into a solid waste form, including aluminum oxide particles and at least a portion of the radioactive waste in a matrix consisting mainly of anhydrous aluminum phosphate.

The solid waste form according to another embodiment includes a matrix containing mainly anhydrous aluminum phosphate and heavy metal phosphate. Radioactive material and alumina particles are distributed in the matrix.

To better understand the invention, the authors divided the discussion below into three parts. The first part discusses a waste treatment apparatus according to selected embodiments of the invention. The second part discusses methods in accordance with other aspects of the invention. The third part discusses aspects of solid waste forms in accordance with other variants of the invention.

B. Waste treatment apparatus

Selective embodiments of the present invention provide waste treatment systems suitable for use with a wide range of waste streams. Figure 1 gives a schematic illustration of a waste treatment system 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. The waste treatment system 10 includes a waste treatment tank 20 having walls 22 defining an interior space 24 of the tank. The reservoir 20 may be an open type, as shown, or a closed type. In one embodiment, the waste treatment tank 20 is a conventional storage tank of the type that is commonly used today to store some liquid waste, such as liquid radioactive waste. Depending on the nature of the waste being processed, it can be beneficial to effectively place the waste treatment tank 20 inside the glove box 12 or similar closed device in order to limit the spread of radioactive material or other harmful components of the waste.

Acidic phosphate may be supplied to the interior of the tank 24 from the phosphate supply system 40 via a phosphate supply line 42. Alumina may be supplied to the interior of the tank 24 from the aluminum oxide supply system 46 via the alumina supply pipe 48. Waste from the waste system 50 may be supplied through the waste feed pipe 52 to the interior of the tank 24. In selective embodiments, the waste treatment system 10 includes a supply system for the precursor CBPC 90, for example, a source of magnesium oxide (MgO). The precursor may be supplied to the interior of the tank 24 via the CBPC 92 feed line. If necessary, water may be supplied to the interior of the tank 24 from the water supply system 56 via the water supply line 58.

The mixing system 30 can be used to mix materials entering the interior of the tank 24. The mixing system 30 in figure 1 includes an electric motor 32, which can be placed outside the glove box 12 in order to limit pollution, connected to the mixer 35 using a detachable clutch 34. The mixer 35 in figure 1 is schematically depicted as a series of vanes diverging to the sides, but shown for illustrative purposes only, as agitators of any shape can be used. The clutch 34 can be fixed with the possibility of selective engagement with the shaft of the mixer 35 for rotation by the electric motor 32 and at the same time with the ability to quickly disconnect the mixer 35 from the electric motor 32. For example, the clutch 34 can provide a keyway connection between the mixer 35 and the electric motor 32, which allows selective connection or disconnect the agitator 35 from the motor 32 by axial movement. In other embodiments, the mixing system 30 shown in FIG. 1 may be replaced by any of a large number of systems that are capable of efficiently mixing the materials entering the interior of the tank 24.

The waste treatment system 10 may also include a temperature controller 60 operatively connected to the glove box 12 and / or the waste treatment tank 20 to control the temperature of the material in the interior of the tank 24. The temperature controller 60 may, for example, include a water jacket to circulate hot or cold liquid around the tank 20. Alternatively, the temperature controller 60 may include a microwave source or a series of infrared heating panels mounted so that the radiation is directed directly at and / or into the tank 20 In other embodiments, the temperature controller 60 is not used. It can be useful if the reaction in the tank is exothermic enough to heat the contents to the desired temperature.

As explained in more detail below, during processing, water can evaporate from the contents of the interior space 24 of the tank. If this is required by the nature of the waste in the waste disposal system 50, water vapor and any other gas from the glove box 12 can be sent to the scrubber 64 through the gas pipeline 66. After cleaning in the scrubber 64 to remove harmful volatile materials, gas can be vented to the atmosphere through the ventilation pipe 68 .

In some embodiments of the invention, discussed in detail below, the treated waste is cured in the reservoir 20. In other embodiments, it may be preferable to remove the mixed components from the reservoir 20 before they are cured, for example, in continuous rather than batch mode. In such an embodiment, the contents of the reservoir 20 may be supplied to the storage reservoir 70 through the outlet 72.

A controller 80 can be used to monitor the operation of the waste treatment system 10. A controller 80 can be operatively connected to one or more mixing systems 30, a temperature controller 60, a phosphate supply system 40 or a supply pipe 42, an alumina supply system 46 or a supply pipe 48, an intake system waste 50 or the supply pipe 52, the supply system of the CBPC precursor 90 or the supply pipe of the CBPC 92 and the water supply system 56 or the water supply pipe 58. In one embodiment, the controller 80 This turns the at least one computer with programmnm processor programmed to control operations with these components for processing the waste in the waste system 50 proceeds.

Alumina and alumina supply system 46 may include any of a variety of types of alumina. Suitable aluminas for this purpose include (but are not limited to only those listed here) anhydrous aluminas (for example, corundum of the formula Al ₂ O ₃ ), aqueous aluminas (for example, gibbsite (Al ₂ O ₃ · 3H ₂ O) or boehmite (Al ₂ O ₃ · H ₂ O)) and aluminum hydroxide (Al (OH) ₃ ). Aluminum oxides can be used in relatively pure form or as components of the corresponding minerals, for example, bauxite or kaolin. It has been found that aluminosilicates are not able to react with acid phosphates, even with concentrated phosphoric acid, at relevant temperatures to form aluminum phosphate ceramics according to embodiments of the present invention. The presence of aluminosilicates in the final waste form is unlikely to have any adverse effects. However, when determining the amount of alumina to be added from the alumina supply system 46, only the amount of non-aluminosilicate alumina in the alumina supply system 46 should be considered.

The phosphate supply system 40 may include any acid phosphate, i.e. capable of reacting with alumina in an alumina supply system 46 to form a solid waste form according to aspects of the invention discussed below. If necessary, acid phosphate may also have appropriate reactivity with the CBPC precursor in the CBPC precursor supply system 90. Examples of suitable acid phosphates for this purpose include (but are not limited to those mentioned here) H ₃ PO ₄ (phosphoric acid) and phosphate salts such as phosphate salts of monovalent metals (e.g., K, Na, Li or Rb). The formation of such salts and their use in various SIRS are discussed in US patent No. 5830815 and 6153809, fully included in the list of links to this application.

Phosphoric acid can hardly be safely handled, especially if the waste must be handled in glove box 12 or a similar containment device. Monovalent metal phosphates may have a crystalline form, which may facilitate the processing. However, in another embodiment, the acid phosphate in the phosphate supply system 40 includes and can consist only of aluminum hydrogen phosphate, for example, AlH ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ · H ₂ O, AlH ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ · 3H ₂ O, and optionally additional alumina.

Waste in waste collection system 50 can be any waste from a wide range of potentially problematic waste streams, for example, waste streams (specific or mixed), including one or more types of hazardous waste, industrial waste not classified as hazardous, and chemical non-hazardous waste that can have a significant impact on the environment (for example, with an excessive content of nitrates or many organic chemicals). Aspects of the invention are particularly suitable for the treatment of hazardous waste. As used herein, the term “hazardous waste” or “hazardous waste” includes material that may or may not be classified as being subject to laws and regulations, such as FERC or CERCLA. Consequently, the term “hazardous waste” includes, but is not limited to, high-level waste, transuranic (TRU) waste, low-level waste, atomic fission waste, nuclear materials (eg, uranium, plutonium and others that belong to the category of nuclear weapons), or extremely dangerous radioactive or pyrophoric metals), by-products of nuclear processes, heavy metals, pyrophoric metals that are not nuclear materials, and toxic organic materials (e.g. RSV or some pesticides). The term "hazardous waste" in the context of the description includes (unless otherwise referenced) its streams relative to specific waste, for example, many highly active waste, and mixed waste streams that may contain materials that are not classified as harmful, for example, contaminated the soil. It is also contemplated that embodiments of the invention can be used to treat hazardous waste, which is solid hazardous waste, semi-solid hazardous waste (e.g., sludge) or liquid hazardous waste, which may include water, acids, oils, or organic solvents, for example. In one particular example, the hazardous waste contains nuclear materials, which are solid waste / powder contaminated with halogenated salts.

As noted above, acid phosphate in the phosphate supply system 40 may include aluminum hydrogen phosphate. Figure 2 schematically depicts a phosphate production system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention, which may be suitable for producing aluminum hydrogen phosphate compositions. Said phosphate production system 100 includes a phosphate production vessel 110 with an inner space 112. The phosphate production vessel 110 may be of an open type, which allows gases (for example, water vapor) to escape from the vessel 110; in the illustrated embodiment, the container 110 is a closed type. An agitator 120 for mixing the reacting components supplied to the vessel 110 may be located in any suitable place in the interior space 112 of the vessel. Acidic phosphate can enter the vessel 110 from the phosphate supply system 130 through the supply pipe 132. The aluminum oxide from the aluminum oxide supply system 136 can enter the interior space 112 of the vessel through the supply pipe 138. If necessary, water from the phosphate supply vessel 110 can be added from water supply systems 154 through a feed pipe 156.

As explained below, it may be advantageous to obtain aluminum hydrogen phosphate in a phosphate 100 production system at a temperature of 100 ° C. or lower. The temperature controller 150 may be operatively associated with the capacity for the production of phosphate 110 in order to accordingly control the temperature of the reacting components in the inner space 112 of the tank. The specified temperature controller 150 may be adapted to control the heating and / or cooling of the contents of the tank 110. If the container for receiving phosphate 110 is closed, as shown, then the pressure in the inner space 112 of the tank can be controlled and / or controlled by a pressure controller 140. Water vapor and others gases from the interior of the reservoir 112 may be vented, for example, to the atmosphere through a vent line 142. A selectively controlled vent can be mounted in the vent line 142 lation valve 144. Vent valve 144 can be controlled directly by the pressure controller 140 or, if necessary, can be connected directly to the controller 160. The controller 160 in this embodiment may be similar to controller 80 as described above.

If the production of aluminum hydrogen phosphate is carried out in the system for producing phosphate 100 in a batch mode, the capacity for producing phosphate 110 may be emptied at the end of the periodic cycle, for example, by opening it. In order to facilitate emptying or in continuous systems, the finished aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition may be dispatched from the interior of the tank 112 through the outlet pipe 172. The outlet valve 174 can be mounted in the outlet pipe 172 to selectively open or close said pipe 172. In a representative embodiment, the product is shipped through the exit pipe 172, is stored 170. In other embodiments, through the exit pipe 172, composition g drofosfata aluminum directly in the waste processing system of figure 1. For example 10 exiting conduit 172 phosphate acquisition system 100 can function as a feed conduit 42 dihydrogen phosphate in the waste treatment system 10.

Aluminas suitable for the alumina supply system 136 include those listed above as the most suitable for the alumina supply system 46 in the waste treatment system 10 (FIG. 1). Similarly, acidic phosphates suitable for the phosphate supply system 130 may be identical to the acid phosphates discussed above in connection with the phosphate supply system 40 in the waste treatment system 10 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the acid phosphate in the phosphate supply system 130 includes phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is usually sold not in its pure form, but in a diluted form with water, for example, in an aqueous solution containing not more than 85% of the mass. phosphoric acid. In embodiments using phosphate salts, it may be preferable to add water from the water supply system 154 to the batch of materials in the interior 112 of the tank.

As explained in more detail below, the aluminum hydrogen phosphate compositions obtained in the phosphate production system 100 can provide all the necessary amount of acid phosphates and aluminum oxide for waste treatment in the waste treatment system (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the phosphate supply system 40 and the alumina supply system 46 in the waste treatment system 10 can be combined into a single supply system, the contents of which can be obtained in the phosphate production system 100 of figure 2.

B. Waste treatment methods

Other embodiments of the invention provide methods for treating waste, for example, hazardous waste. In the following discussion of these methods, reference is made to the waste treatment system 10 shown in Figure 1 and the phosphate production system 100 shown in Figure 2. It goes without saying that this is only to illustrate the invention and that the following methods are not limited to the use of specific structures or systems shown in the figures or discussed above.

According to one embodiment of the invention, acid phosphate from the phosphate supply system 40, alumina from the aluminum oxide supply system 46, waste from the waste supply system 50, and water, optionally from the water supply system 56, may be added to the waste treatment tank 20 of Figure 1 These materials can be mixed using a mixing system 30 to form a suspension, for example an aqueous suspension.

The relative amount of acid phosphate, alumina and waste added to the waste treatment tank 20 will depend, at least in part, on the nature of the materials themselves. For example, you can add more liquid waste with a high moisture content than when the waste is dry waste or has a reduced moisture content. Alternatively, waste containing alumina may require the addition of less oxide. It is estimated that the loading of the waste (i.e., the relative amount of waste in the final solid waste form) is about 85% of the mass. (in terms of dry weight) can work in the case of many types of waste. In the case of wastes from which harmful materials are supposed to be leached (such as heavy metals), a reduction in waste loading may be more acceptable. For example, it is assumed that the loading of some waste streams carrying heavy metals can be 70% of the mass. final solid waste form.

In some embodiments, aluminum and phosphorus may be present in the suspension in any ratio, for example, equal to one or less than one. It has been found, however, that in many applications, the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the suspension may be more than unity. As explained below, sample options using this ratio can produce solid waste forms, including alumina particles dispersed in anhydrous aluminum phosphate, which can improve the mechanical properties of the solid waste form. However, if the Al: P ratio is too high, this can unduly reduce the system's capacity for loading the waste into the final solid waste form. Therefore, the molar ratios Al: P greater than one, but not more than five, may be more acceptable. In selective embodiments, an Al: P ratio of at least about two, for example, about 2-5, with a range of about 2-3, can give satisfactory results without excessive weight gain of the solid form of the waste. As noted above, aluminosilicates do not sufficiently react with acidic phosphates to form anhydrous aluminum phosphate in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Therefore, in embodiments of the invention that include aluminosilicates in suspension (either from an alumina supply system 46, or from another source), the Al: P ratio may be greater than 5, but the Al: P ratio may be more acceptable, excluding aluminosilicates and not exceeding approximately 5.

As noted above, embodiments of the invention provide solid waste forms containing anhydrous aluminum phosphates. Even if relatively little water is present in the components added to the waste treatment tank 20, water can be generated or released during the reaction between acid phosphate and alumina. For example, if the alumina is hydrated alumina, for example gibbsite, then water bound in the alumina can be released. Even if the alumina in the alumina supply system 46 is anhydrous (eg, corundum), water can be generated by reaction with an acidic phosphate component. For example, in most cases, alumina can react with phosphoric acid in accordance with the following equation:

Al ₂ O ₃ + 2H ₃ PO ₄ → 2AlPO ₄ + 3H ₂ O.

In embodiments of the invention in which the matrix is formed from anhydrous aluminum phosphate, this aqueous by-product can be vaporized from the waste treatment tank 20. In the specific waste treatment system 10 shown in FIG. 1, this water vapor can be removed from the glove box 12 through a vent gas line 66.

The temperature of the reacting components in the waste treatment tank 20 can be controlled by a temperature controller 60 in order to initiate the evaporation of excess water in the measured mode and to control the nature of the final reaction product. If this suspension is stirred at about room temperature, as is usually done in most CBRS waste storage systems known in the art, the reaction between alumina and acid phosphate will produce aluminum hydrogen phosphate, for example, AlH ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ · N ₂ O and AlH ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ · 3H ₂ O. Water bound in hydrophosphate can be cleaved by radiolysis to generate a hydrogen-containing gas. In order to avoid generating hydrogen in the final waste form, the reaction between alumina and aluminum phosphate should be carried out at an elevated temperature of at least about 100 ° C. As noted above, some components of hazardous waste streams, such as HgCl, begin to evaporate at about 200 ° C. To limit their volatilization in some embodiments of the invention, the reaction between alumina and acid phosphate is carried out at a temperature of about 100-200 ° C.

It is assumed that in the presence of at least some water in the system, the reaction between alumina and acid phosphate will progress. In particular, in the case of waste streams with relatively low moisture content, temperatures that are excessively high can contribute to the evaporation of all the water even before the alumina and acid phosphate have an adequate opportunity for the reaction to form a strong matrix. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, the temperature of the reacting components is not higher than about 175 ° C, for example, not higher than about 160 ° C. In one embodiment, the temperature is from about 100 ° C. to about 150 ° C.

The temperature at which the solubility of alumina in phosphoric acid (which can be used as acid phosphate) reaches a maximum may depend on the nature of the alumina. For example, corundum reaches its maximum solubility in phosphoric acid at about 106 ° C. Boehmite reaches its maximum solubility at about 126 ° C, aluminum hydroxide reaches its maximum solubility at about 133 ° C, and gibbsite reaches its maximum solubility at about 170 ° C. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, mainly those in which phosphoric acid is used as acid phosphate, the temperature of the reacting components is at least identical to the dissolution temperature of alumina, which can be defined as the temperature at which alumina reaches or almost reaches its maximum solubility. For example, if alumina is corundum, then the temperature of the suspension in the waste treatment tank 20 may be about 106-200 ° C. Temperatures of about 130-200 ° C, preferably about 140-200 ° C, for example, about 140-160 ° C, should be acceptable for many aluminas. In selective embodiments, the process proceeds at temperatures of about 145-155 ° C.

Some hazardous wastes include heavy metals, such as lead, cesium or technetium, which dissolve in water. Most of these heavy metals react with acid phosphate to form metal phosphate, which is practically insoluble in water. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of leaching heavy metals of processed waste from the final solid waste form. If the content of heavy metals in the treated waste is sufficiently high, it is assumed that in this case it is preferable that the reaction of acid phosphate in suspension with heavy metals with the formation of insoluble phosphates is carried out at a low temperature in an aqueous suspension, which will facilitate the reaction by retaining metals in solution . After that, the temperature may increase in order to initiate the formation of anhydrous aluminum phosphate and the evaporation of water from the suspension.

In one representative treatment option for waste including a heavy metal component, the suspension can be mixed at a temperature below 100 ° C, for example, from room temperature to 100 ° C, for at least ten minutes before the suspension is heated to a temperature above 100 ° C, as described above. It is assumed that a time of the order of about 10-15 minutes will be sufficient for many waste streams. If necessary, the components can be mixed into a suspension at about room temperature, and the thermostat 60 can be used to gradually bring the temperature, for example, to below 100 ° C for 10-15 minutes.

The particular waste treatment system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CBPC precursor supply system 90 adapted to supply CBPC precursor to the interior 24 of reservoir 20 via a CBPC 92 feed pipe. In some embodiments, which are particularly suitable for use with some high acid waste, CBRS the precursor includes a metal oxide that is capable of reacting with acid phosphate to form CBRS, but can also adapt to the reaction with other acid components in the waste . In one particular embodiment of the invention, the CBPC precursor comprises MgO, which adapts to the reaction with acid phosphates, as explained above, as well as to the reaction with nitrates (NO ₃ ^- ) to form Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ , which dissolves worse than water in many other nitrates. The formation of Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ can be facilitated by the addition of CBPC precursor to the waste in the interior of the tank 24 even before the addition of alumina or acid phosphate to the tank 20. To accelerate this reaction, a stirrer 30 can be used to mix the suspension for a period of time, for example, 10-15 minutes, which will allow MgO or other CBPC precursor to react with nitrates in the waste.

The addition of CBPC precursor from the CBPC precursor supply system 90 may also be preferred in the case of some highly alkaline wastes. For example, some radioactive waste includes high levels of nitrates (for example, from the use of nitric acid to treat spent fuel) and sodium (for example, the addition of NaOH to neutralize nitric acid to form highly alkaline waste). In this embodiment, the addition of CBPC precursor, but not alumina, can facilitate the binding of both sodium and nitrate components of the waste, which is explained in more detail below. In such use cases, it may be preferable to mix the CBPC precursor, for example MgO, and at least a portion of the acid phosphate with the waste before adding alumina. As in the previous embodiment, the mixer 30 can be used to mix the final product. This will ensure the reaction time of the CBPC precursor, for example, 10-15 minutes, after which alumina and the remaining amount of acid phosphate can be added.

The mixing system 30 may continue to mix the suspension as water evaporates from the mixture of reacting components in the reservoir 20. In addition to maintaining good mixing of the components, continued mixing will help release water vapor from the suspension. This, in turn, will reduce the number of voids in the solid form of waste and, thereby, increase its strength and reduce its volume. In one embodiment of the invention, the pore volume in the final solid waste form, i.e. the total volume of internal voids is not more than about 5% of the volume of solid waste. In one particular embodiment, the pore volume is not more than about 3% vol., And for many applications, the pore volume is not more than about 1% vol.

As the reaction proceeds and the water evaporates, it becomes increasingly difficult to actuate the agitator 35. In selected embodiments of the invention, the mixing system 30 stops mixing the suspension when the suspension reaches a final consistency. This final consistency can be determined by a number of methods. In one embodiment, it can be determined by adjusting the force required to drive the agitator 35 by an electric motor 32; as soon as the required driving force reaches a predetermined limit, the controller 80 can turn off the electric motor 32, which will turn off the mixer 35. If necessary, the mixer 35 can then be dismantled from the reactor tank 20 and reused in the next reactor tank. However, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the mixer 35 may remain in suspension as it solidifies into the final solid waste form (discussed below with reference to Figure 3). A detachable clutch 34 between the mixer 35 and the electric motor 32 will facilitate the removal of the solid waste form, including the mixer 35, from the electric motor 32. After that, a new mixer 35 can be connected to the electric motor 32 to process the next batch of waste.

At the end of mixing, the reacting components in suspension can be solidified into solid waste. To improve the uniformity of the solid form of the waste, the suspension, upon reaching its final consistency, must be sufficiently viscous to avoid unwanted precipitation of the components of the suspension.

As explained above with reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the invention, an aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition may be used as the acid phosphate in the acid phosphate supply system 40 in the waste treatment system 10 (FIG. 1). In one such embodiment, at least a portion of the desired alumina slurry in the waste treatment tank 20 may be combined with the acidic phosphate component into a phosphate precursor slurry. For example, alumina from the alumina supply system 136 and acid phosphate from the acid phosphate supply system 130 may be added to the phosphate tank 110 of the phosphate production system 100 (FIG. 2). This suspension can be mixed with a stirrer 120 until it is homogeneous.

If necessary, the final suspension, which contains aluminum hydrogen phosphate, can be used in the acid phosphate supply system 40 of the waste treatment system 10 of Figure 1. In other embodiments, the suspension in the phosphate tank 110 (Figure 2) is dried, at least partially, to obtain an acidic precursor phosphate, which may be more concentrated and / or easier to process. In one particular embodiment, the phosphate precursor suspension is sufficiently dried to form a paste or cake that includes aluminum hydrogen phosphate. In another particular embodiment, the phosphate precursor slurry is dried almost completely to obtain a powdered phosphate precursor. The storage of such pastes and powders is greatly facilitated and can easily be used later in waste processing.

As noted above, in some embodiments, acid phosphate and alumina react at elevated temperatures, for example 130-200 ° C., to form anhydrous aluminum phosphates. To reduce the percentage of anhydrous aluminum phosphates in the phosphate precursor, the suspension of the phosphate precursor can be dried at a temperature not exceeding about 130 ° C, for example at or below 100 ° C. In one particular embodiment, alumina and acid phosphate are added to a phosphate 110 tank at about room temperature. The reaction with the formation of aluminum hydrogen phosphate is an exothermic reaction and can increase the temperature of the suspension. If necessary, a temperature controller 150 may be used to maintain the suspension at a temperature not exceeding about 130 ° C for most or all of the reaction time.

As noted above, it is desirable that the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the waste suspension is greater than unity, for example, about 2-5. If necessary, the ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the composition of aluminum hydrophosphate Al: P can be maintained the same as that required at the stage of waste treatment. In such an embodiment, the aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition includes both aluminum hydrogen phosphate and an excess of aluminum oxide. It is contemplated that the process of forming an aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition that includes a significant excess of alumina, for example, with Al: P of two or more, can preferably take place in two stages. In one exemplary embodiment, a first-stage aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition in which an Al: P ratio of about 0.95-1.1 is formed according to the method described above. The first stage aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition may then be mixed with a sufficient amount of alumina powder to bring the Al: P ratio to the desired level. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the first-stage aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition is sufficiently dried to obtain a paste or powder prior to mixing with the aluminum oxide powder.

Thus, in one embodiment, the aluminum hydroxide composition may provide both acid phosphate and alumina used in the waste slurry. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the waste suspension will contain more water than the aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition. If the waste is liquid waste, including water, then this water can be evaporated from the waste itself. Otherwise, additional water may be added from the water supply system 56 to form an acceptable suspension and accelerate the conversion of aluminum hydrogen phosphate to anhydrous aluminum phosphate at elevated temperatures.

In other embodiments, the Al: P ratio in the aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition is less than the desired Al: P ratio in the waste suspension. If necessary, the Al: P ratio may be less than unity, leaving an excess of acid phosphate in the aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition. In other embodiments, the Al: P ratio may be about unity, providing a substantially stoichiometric balance that can result in an aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition consisting essentially of aluminum hydrogen phosphate. In other embodiments, the Al: P ratio may be greater than unity, but still less than the required Al: P ratio in the waste suspension. For example, the Al: P ratio in an aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition may be from about one to two, for example, from about 1-1.1, to give an aluminum hydrogen phosphate composition with an excess of aluminum oxide.

D. Adaptation of the invention to specific waste streams

As noted earlier, some embodiments of the invention are very suitable, in particular, for long-term storage of radioactive waste, including high-level waste. Even if the waste form can be stable and exhibit a minimal degree of radiolysis, the finished solid waste form can still produce significant radiation. In one particular embodiment, radiation shielding components may be added to the waste suspension. For example, boron (for example, in the form of ¹⁰ B ₄ C) can be added to the waste suspension to facilitate neutron absorption and block gamma radiation. Hematite and / or magnetite can be added to the waste suspension to provide means for attenuating photons. Likewise, bismuth (III) oxide can be added to the waste suspension to enhance the protective (against gamma rays) properties of the solid form of the waste. The addition of such components to other CBRS (for example, magnesium-potassium phosphates) in order to use them as an external screen from radiation is discussed in the international publication PCT WO 02/069348, which is fully included in the list of links to this application.

In some embodiments of the invention, the waste may contain mercury and / or chromium. For such waste, it may be preferable to add a sulfidizing agent Na ₂ S in an amount of about less than 1 wt.%, More preferably about no more than 0.5 wt.%, To convert the metals to their sulfides. Such sulphides can be more stable and appear to be less leached from the final waste form. Similarly, a reductant, for example SnCl ₂ , in an amount of less than 1 wt.%, Preferably not more than about 0.5 wt.%, Can be added to the waste containing technetium. As indicated in US Pat. No. 6,133,498 (Singh et al .; is included in its entirety in the list of references to this application), SnCl _2, or the like. can limit the leaching of technetium from the final waste form. It is also assumed that 0.5% of the mass. or less, tin chloride can react with mercury and / or chromium in the waste to form a stable chloride. Thus, it may be possible to abandon the use of Na ₂ S even in the case of waste containing mercury and / or chromium. In one embodiment, heavy metals are given a period of time for their reaction with a sulfidizing agent and / or reductant before the conversion of alumina to aluminum phosphate is complete. Thus, in one embodiment, the suspension is mixed at a temperature not exceeding about 130 ° C for a certain period of time, for example 10-15 minutes. After this, the suspension can be heated to a higher temperature, for example about 140-200 ° C, to accelerate the formation of AlPO ₄ .

One of the advantages of selected embodiments of the invention is the ability to easily handle waste containing salts, alkaline waste and acidic waste. Although salt-bearing waste can be particularly problematic when using Portland cement or similar materials, most salts should have little effect on the formation of the AlPO ₄ matrix discussed above. Alkaline waste can also be handled exceptionally easily by simply increasing the amount of acid phosphate added to the waste slurry. For example, a small amount of phosphoric acid may be added to the suspension to adjust the pH of the suspension to an acceptable level. In a similar embodiment, acidic waste can be effectively neutralized to an acceptable pH level by adding additional oxides to the waste suspension. In one embodiment, this additional amount of oxide may include an additional amount of alumina, for example, Al ₂ O ₃ and / or Al (OH) ₃ , or magnesium oxide, which, as indicated above, facilitates the treatment of waste containing nitrates. As noted earlier, other waste streams can be highly alkaline. In one example, a certain amount of acid waste, including high concentrations of nitric acid, was neutralized and converted to an alkaline form by adding NaOH while maintaining both sodium and nitrates in the waste.

Some waste streams are highly acidic. For example, waste streams from the extraction of plutonium or from the processing of other nuclear materials may include high concentrations of nitric acid. In many traditional processes, including cementing to regular or pozzolanic cement, both sodium and nitrates are highly leached. In thermal processes, sodium and nitrates cause severe corrosion and can volatilize. It has been found that the use of at least some CBRS can significantly reduce the leaching of sodium and nitrates from the waste form. Therefore, in one embodiment of the CBPC, the precursor, but not alumina, is mixed with the waste either prior to addition or simultaneously with the addition of aluminum oxide and / or acid phosphate to the waste suspension. In one particular example of CBPC, the precursor comprises calcined MgO, and acid phosphate includes potassium monophosphate (KH ₂ PO ₄ ), which can give CBRS, which contains magnesium potassium phosphate hexahydrate (MgKPO ₄ · 6H ₂ O). As indicated in provisional application US 60/450 563 (which is included in its entirety in the list of references to this application), MgO is believed to form CBPC, which can facilitate the efficient binding of both sodium and nitrates, including both MgNaPO ₄ · nH ₂ O, and KNO ₃ .

In another embodiment as described above, the CBPC precursor comprises calcined MgO and is added even before the addition of acid phosphate, forming Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ , which shows a tendency to the formation of fine particles. These small, relatively insoluble particles can bind within the AlPO ₄ matrix. If MgO is used in excess, it can react with acid phosphate to form magnesium phosphate.

The reliable generation of solid forms of waste from oily waste is very problematic in some applications. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, oily waste can be efficiently cleaned with phosphoric acid, which can act as a detergent and break down the waste. Pre-mixing the oily waste with phosphoric acid will help break down the waste, and the resulting preliminary mixture can be added to the waste suspension. Alternatively, an additional amount of acid phosphate, mainly phosphoric acid, may be added to the waste slurry in order to break down the oily waste in the waste treatment tank 20 (Figure 1). If necessary, the waste suspension in this embodiment can be mixed for some time at a temperature below 130 ° C, for example, approximately below 100 ° C, for some time until it is heated to a higher second temperature, for example 140-175 ° C.

An embodiment of the invention also efficiently processes carbonate-containing wastes. In some known processes, the generation of carbon dioxide from carbonates can lead to the formation of unwanted solid waste voids. As noted above, mixing the slurry of waste according to embodiments of the invention can facilitate the evaporation of water vapor from the slurry. The same mixing can also contribute to the release of the generated CO ₂ before solidification of the solid form of waste.

E. Solid waste

The waste suspension may be cured in any form suitable for the purpose. For example, a waste slurry may be discharged from the waste treatment tank 20 through an outlet 72 and poured into molds of an appropriate size using a known casting technique.

Figure 3 schematically shows the solid form of waste 200 according to one of the private variants of the invention. The solid waste form 200 is an example of a solid waste form that can be obtained using the waste treatment system 10 shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the waste treatment tank 20 and agitator 35 can be introduced into the solid waste form 200. A large number of agitators 35 can be fixed in solid ceramics 210, which is a product of the reactions described above. The volume of cured ceramic may be less than the total volume of the suspension of waste due to the evaporation of water from the suspension of waste. This water can exit through the upper space 215 between the solid ceramic 210 and the upper edge of the waste treatment tank 20.

If necessary, the upper space 215 can be filled partially or completely with "clean" material, such as waste-free CBPC, organic resin or foundry cement, in order to limit the effects of ceramics 210 on the elements. In an alternative approach, the upper space 215 may be partially or fully filled with additional waste-bearing anhydrous aluminum phosphate composition. In one particular embodiment, an additional amount of the waste-bearing aluminum phosphate composition can be prepared in most cases, as described above, in the second waste treatment tank 20 (Figure 1). When the suspension in the second waste treatment tank 20 is dried to the desired level, for example, when it reaches a smearing consistency (like putty), then it can be introduced into the upper space 215 in the first waste treatment tank 20 (Figure 3). In one particular embodiment, the material from the second tank 20 can be added to the upper space 215 even before the material has completely cured in the first tank 20. This can facilitate the bonding of the added material in the material already in the tank to form solid ceramic 210, which mainly fills the volume of the waste treatment tank 20.

Ceramics 210 in most cases includes a matrix with particles enclosed in it. The matrix may include anhydrous aluminum phosphate, for example aluminum orthophosphate (AlPO ₄ ), with a minor amount of aluminum metaphosphate (Al (PO ₃ ) ₃ ). Although the matrix may also include aluminum hydrogen phosphates, the amount of hydrogen phosphate in the matrix is desirably maintained at a relatively low level or completely removed. The matrix of anhydrous aluminum phosphate can also bind the waste components in ceramics 210. For example, if the waste stream includes heavy metals, then the matrix can bind heavy metal phosphates. If the waste includes particulate matter, then the particulate can be distributed in the matrix as discrete particles and can be almost completely encapsulated in the matrix. If the waste contains radioactive waste, then the radioactive waste is usually distributed in a matrix. In one embodiment, the components of the waste are almost evenly distributed in the matrix.

As noted above, it is desirable that the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the waste suspension is greater than one. This leads to an excess of alumina in solid waste form. Typically, alumina is first a particulate component, for example, alumina particles. These aluminas can be distributed in the matrix and for the most part are evenly distributed throughout the matrix. It is believed that these alumina particles within the phosphate matrix improve the mechanical properties of solid ceramics 210 and therefore the waste form 200.

In one of the above variants of CBPC, a precursor, but not aluminum oxide, but, for example, magnesium oxide or another metal, may be added to the suspension. In particular, if this CBPC precursor is allowed to react with waste containing nitric acid even before the addition of alumina and acid phosphate, then it can be expected that said CBPC precursor forms particles of metal nitrate, for example Mg (NO ₃ ) ₂ , if CBRS includes MgO. It is assumed that the particles will remain in suspension and, ultimately, in the finished waste form. If alkaline wastes, including Na and NO ₃ ^- , are treated with magnesium oxide and acid phosphate, the resulting magnesium phosphate can determine particles that are encapsulated in an anhydrous aluminum phosphate matrix in the form of waste. Research and characterization of magnesium oxide based CBRS are still ongoing, but it has recently been suggested that at least a portion of this specific CBRS takes a pseudohydroxyapatite form, for example, MgNa (PO ₄ ) · nH ₂ O. If nitrates are present in the suspension , then this SVRS can also be capable of, or in exchange for, the formation of a nitrated mineral such as apatite, not previously mentioned in the literature. Thus, the waste form in this particular example may contain in the matrix, which includes anhydrous aluminum phosphate, either one or both of (a) pseudohydroxyapatite, including magnesium and sodium, and (b) nitrate apatite, including sodium and nitrate.

In one particular embodiment, the amount of magnesium oxide added exceeds the stoichiometric amount required for the reaction with nitrides and / or other compounds in the waste. If an excess of stoichiometric amount of alumina is also added to the suspension, the final waste form may include particulate alumina and magnesium oxide. It is assumed that magnesium oxide will react with hydrogen in the final waste form. Therefore, if the radiolysis of water generates a hydrogen-containing gas, then excess magnesium oxide can serve as a getter, thereby reducing the aforementioned danger associated with radiolysis.

The detailed options and examples described above are merely illustrative of the invention, not exhaustive of its essence, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, although in the above embodiments, the steps are performed in a predetermined order, in alternative embodiments, they can be carried out in a different order. In addition, the various options described herein can be combined with each other to provide additional options.

In most cases, the terms used in the claims below should not be construed as limiting the invention to the specific options disclosed in the description, unless the precise description of these terms is given in the previous description. The inventors reserve the right to add additional paragraphs to the claims after filing an application in order to select additional forms of presentation of claims according to other aspects of the invention.

Claims (84)

1. A waste treatment method comprising the following steps: mixing a waste component with alumina and an acidic phosphate component in a slurry containing water, wherein the waste component includes hazardous waste, wherein the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the suspension is more than one, evaporation of water from suspension while stirring the suspension at a functional temperature of about 140-200 ° C and curing the stirred suspension into a solid waste form containing anhydrous aluminum phosphate with a residual portion of the compo cient waste associated therein. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the hazardous waste includes radioactive material. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the functional temperature is not higher than 175 ° C. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the functional temperature is from 150 to 175 ° C. 5. The method according to claim 1, in which the functional temperature is not higher than 155 ° C. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anhydrous aluminum phosphate comprises aluminum orthophosphate. 7. The method according to claim 1, in which the waste component contains a heavy metal and in which the suspension is mixed at a temperature not exceeding 130 ° C for a first period of time until the suspension is mixed at a functional temperature. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waste component is a liquid waste component comprising water, and at least a portion of the water in the slurry is provided by the liquid waste component. 9. The method according to claim 1, in which the acidic phosphate component comprises phosphoric acid. 10. The method according to claim 1, in which the acidic phosphate component comprises aluminum hydrogen phosphate. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alumina comprises Al ₂ O ₃ . 12. The method according to claim 11, in which the alumina comprises anhydrous Al ₂ About ₃ . 13. The method according to claim 1, in which the alumina is included in bauxite or kaolin. 14. The method according to claim 1, in which the alumina comprises aluminum hydroxide. 15. The method according to claim 1, in which the molar ratio is not more than 5. 16. The method according to claim 1, in which the molar ratio is 2-5. 17. The method according to claim 1, in which the molar ratio is 2-3. 18. A waste treatment method in which the following steps are carried out: mixing alumina and an acidic phosphate component; mixing a waste component with a mixture of aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component in a suspension containing water, the waste component containing harmful waste, and the molar ratio of Al to P in the suspension being 1 or more units, evaporating the water in the suspension while stirring the suspension at a functional temperature of 140 to 200 ° C, curing the stirred suspension to a solid waste form containing anhydrous aluminum phosphate with the remainder of the waste component associated with it. 19. The method according to p, in which, when mixing aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component, aluminum reacts with phosphoric acid. 20. The method according to p. 18, in which when mixing aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component, aluminum reacts with phosphoric acid in a suspension containing water and at least partially dry the suspension of waste at a temperature of not higher than 130 ° C. 21. A waste treatment method in which the following steps are carried out: mixing alumina and an acid phosphate component, reacting at least a portion of the alumina with an acid phosphate component in a phosphate precursor suspension, at least partially drying the phosphate precursor suspension to form a precursor phosphate, including a paste or powder, and, at least partially drying the suspension of the phosphate precursor, mixing the waste component with a mixture of aluminum oxide and the acid phosphate component in the suspension containing water and the waste suspension, the waste component containing harmful impurities and the molar ratio of Al to P in the suspension being one or more than one, evaporation of water from the suspension while stirring the suspension at a functional temperature of 140 to 200 ° C, curing the mixed suspension into a solid waste form containing anhydrous aluminum phosphate with the residual portion of the waste component associated with it, the suspension of waste having more water than the phosphate precursor before evaporation of water from the waste suspension. 22. The method according to claim 1, in which the mixing of the suspension is carried out in a container, and the mixed suspension is cured in the container. 23. The method according to claim 1, in which the mixing is completed upon reaching the final consistency. 24. The method according to claim 1, in which the stirring of the suspension is completed upon reaching the final consistency, which is determined by the amount of force required to bring the mixer into action. 25. The method according to claim 1, in which the suspension is stirred in the container using a mixer and leave the mixer in solid waste form. 26. The method according to claim 1, in which chemically bonded phosphate ceramics are added. 27. The method according to claim 1, in which magnesium oxide is also added to the suspension. 28. The method according to p. 26, in which, with further stirring of the suspension, a chemically bonded phosphate ceramic precursor other than alumina is added to it with a waste component and acid phosphate, and then alumina is added to the suspension. 29. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waste component is stored in a waste storage container, wherein the waste component, alumina and acid phosphate component are mixed in the same waste storage container. 30. The method according to claim 1, in which the suspension also includes at least one component from SnCl ₂ and Na ₂ S. 31. The method according to clause 30, in which the suspension is stirred at a temperature not higher than about 130 ° C for the first period of time even before mixing the suspension at a functional temperature. 32. The method according to claim 1, in which neutralizing material is added to the suspension until the stirred suspension is solidified in order to at least partially neutralize the waste. 33. The method according to claim 1, in which at least one of the materials absorbing gamma, neutrons or photons is added directly to the waste component before hardening the mixed suspension. 34. The method according to claim 1, which comprises the step of evaporating water from the waste while mixing alumina with an acidic phosphate component. 35. The method according to claim 1, which comprises adding a neutralizing material to the waste so as to at least partially neutralize the waste before the waste component is mixed with alumina and with an acidic phosphate component. 36. The method according to claim 1, which contains the addition of a gas-absorbing hydrogen agent to the waste component or to the suspension in order to reduce hydrogen generation. 37. The method according to clause 36, in which the agent, absorbing hydrogen, contains MgO. 38. The method according to claim 1, in which the waste component is an acid component and which contains the addition of metal oxide to at least one of the waste components and suspension to neutralize the waste. 39. The method according to claim 1, which comprises adding salt to the suspension in order to control the reaction rate during the mixing of the suspension. 40. The method according to claim 1, which comprises adding at least one stabilizing agent and a reducing agent to the waste component or to the suspension. 41. The method according to claim 1, which contains the addition of an exothermic agent to one component of the waste or to the suspension, which during the reaction generates heat, heating at least one of the waste components or suspension. 42. The method according to claim 1, which comprises adding to the suspension a protective agent from radiation in order to obtain at least partially protected waste. 43. A method of obtaining a stable form of waste, comprising the following stages: reacting alumina with an acidic phosphate component in the first suspension, at least partially drying the first suspension at a first temperature to obtain a phosphate precursor, mixing the phosphate precursor and waste with a second suspension at a second temperature in the range from 106 to 175 ° C with the simultaneous evaporation of water from the second suspension, curing the mixed second suspension into a solid waste form, including the rest of the alumina The line, distributed in a matrix consisting of anhydrous aluminum phosphate and at least a portion of the waste after the evaporation of at least a major portion of the water from the second slurry. 44. The method according to item 43, in which the first temperature is not higher than 130 ° C. 45. The method according to item 43, in which the second temperature is at least 140 ° C. 46. The method according to item 43, in which the second temperature is not higher than 155 ° C. 47. The method according to item 43, in which the waste material includes a heavy metal, while the second suspension is stirred at a temperature not exceeding 130 ° C for a first period of time until the suspension is mixed at a second temperature. 48. The method according to item 43, in which the second suspension also includes water in addition to water in liquid waste. 49. The method according to item 43, in which the acidic phosphate component comprises phosphoric acid. 50. The method according to item 43, in which the acidic phosphate component comprises aluminum hydrogen phosphate. 51. The method according to item 43, in which the alumina comprises aluminum hydroxide. 52. The method according to item 43, in which the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the form of waste is more than one, but not more than 5. 53. The method according to paragraph 52, in which aluminum in the form of aluminosilicate is excluded from the molar ratio. 54. The method according to item 43, in which the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the form of waste is 2-3. 55. The method according to item 43, in which the second suspension is stirred in the container using a mixer and then cured the mixed second suspension in the container. 56. The method according to item 43, in which the second suspension is mixed in a container using a stirrer, and the stirring is stopped as soon as the force required to turn on the stirrer reaches at least the value of the final stirring force. 57. The method according to item 43, in which after mixing the second suspension in the container using a mixer, the mixer is left in solid waste form. 58. The method according to item 43, in which, while stirring the second suspension, a precursor of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics other than alumina is added to it. 59. The method according to item 43, in which, while stirring the second suspension, magnesium oxide is also interfered with it. 60. The method according to item 43, in which the waste is stored in a container for storing waste, while the second suspension is mixed in the same container for storing waste. 61. The method according to item 43, in which the second suspension also includes at least one component from SnCl ₂ and Na ₂ S. 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the second suspension is also mixed at a third temperature for a first period of time before the second suspension is mixed at a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the third temperature. 63. A method of obtaining a stable form of waste from a radioactive material, comprising the following steps: mixing the radioactive material with alumina and an acidic phosphate component to form a suspension, the alumina comprising aqueous alumina, anhydrous alumina or aluminum hydroxide, heating the suspension to a first temperature , which has a value of no higher than 200 ° C, and at least identical to the dissolution temperature of alumina with acid phosphate, evaporation of water from the suspension in the process of changing it stitching at a second temperature range from 140 to 175 ° C until most of the water evaporates, curing the final product with evaporated water into a solid waste form, including aluminum oxide particles and at least a portion of the radioactive waste in a matrix consisting of mainly from anhydrous AlPO ₄ . 64. The method according to item 63, in which the aluminum in the form of aluminosilicate is not taken into account in a molar ratio. 65. The method according to item 63, in which the acid phosphate is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and compositions containing aluminum phosphate. 66. The method according to item 63, in which the acid phosphate includes aluminum hydrogen phosphate and in which the acid phosphate and aluminum oxide are pre-mixed into the pre-mixture before mixing with the radioactive material. 67. The method according to item 63, in which the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the preliminary mixture is basically the same as the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in suspension. 68. The method according to item 63, in which the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. 69. The method according to item 63, in which the first temperature is at least 106 ° C. 70. The method according to item 63, in which the first temperature has a range from 130 to 160 ° C. 71. The method according to item 63, in which the first temperature is approximately the same as the second temperature. 72. The method according to item 63, in which the liquid waste includes at least one heavy metal and carry out the stirring of the suspension at a temperature below 130 ° C for at least 10 minutes before heating the suspension to the first or second temperature . 73. The method according to item 63, in which the solid waste form has a pore volume of not more than about 5 vol.%. 74. The method according to item 63, in which add a chemically bound precursor of chemically bound phosphate ceramics to a suspension other than alumina. 75. The method according to item 63, in which the waste includes alkaline waste, and carry out the addition of magnesium oxide to the suspension. 76. The method according to item 63, in which the waste includes alkaline waste and in which the suspension is mixed, including mixing a chemically bound precursor of chemically bound phosphate ceramics other than alumina, with the waste component and acid phosphate in the suspension, and then the oxide is added aluminum to the suspension. 77. The method according to item 63, in which the radioactive material is stored in a container for storing waste and the suspension is mixed in the same container for storing waste. 78. The method according to item 63, in which the suspension also includes at least one component from SnCl ₂ and Na ₂ S. 79. The method according to p, in which the suspension is also stirred at a third temperature for a first period of time even before the suspension is heated to a first temperature, the third temperature being lower than the second temperature. 80. A solid waste form, including a solid matrix, consisting mainly of anhydrous aluminum phosphate and heavy metal phosphate chemically bonded to each other, harmful material distributed in the matrix, and alumina particles distributed in the matrix. 81. The solid waste form according to claim 80, which also includes a mixer fixed in the matrix. 82. The solid waste form of claim 80, wherein at least a portion of the radioactive material includes particles of the radioactive material encapsulated in the matrix. 83. The solid waste form of claim 80, also including magnesium oxide dispersed in the matrix. 84. The solid waste form of claim 80, wherein the harmful material is radioactive material.

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