Sol-gel technology applied to glass and crystalline ceramics

Fixation of high level and transuranium radioactive waste in glass or alternative ceramic forms requires remotely operable processes and equipment, and sol-gel technology developed for reactor fuel refabrication appears to be applicable. Advantages of the sol-gel process are absence of dust, easy pneumatic transfer and sampling of either liquids or free-flowing solid microspheres, excellent sinterability, and equipment amenable to remote operation because of mechanical simplicity. Synthetic rock microspheres and pellets containing up to 25% simulated defense waste have been prepared by the sol-gel process. 26 refs