Radioactive waste processing method

Radioactive wastes present in the form of nitrates generated by nuclear fission are melted in a vessel by electromagnetic induction heating. Metal oxides formed by decomposing the nitrates are accumulated at the periphery of the vessel and reduced platinum group elements are accumulated to the center of the vessel by an electromagnetic pinching force. Then, they are cooled and coagulated, and a solidification products of the platinum group elements and remaining ceramic solidification product are separated and recovered. According to the method, since highly exothermic elements having long half-decay time can be selectively evaporated and separated during the high temperature processing, storage time for cooling radioactive wastes to be processed finally is shortened. Further, the separated elements having long half-decay time can be utilized effectively by nuclear conversion. (T.M.)