Method of solidifying radioactive wastes

Purpose: To obtain solidifying porducts of water glass excellent in durability and weather-resistance. Method: Pellets of radioactive wastes are packed in a drum can. Then, a solidifying agent prepared by mixing an alkali silicate solution and a curing agent to adjust the viscosity to less than 103CP is charged into the drum can to fill the gaps between the radioactive pellets. Then, the drum can is transferred into a pressure chamber and the contents are cured by the application of a pressure more than the atmospheric pressure. Addition of naphthalene sulfonic acid, formaldehyde or the like as a dewatering agent into the curing agent provides more excellent solidifying products by the synergistic effect. In place of the pressure chamber with a dried atmosphere a high pressure water tank may be used to perform aging in water. (Sekiya, K.)