Immobilization of hazardous residuals by encapsulation. Annual letter technical report

This research attempts to obtain proof of a novel concept of encapsulating hazardous wastes in a water-extensible polyester matrix to yield solidified products having rigid, light-weight shock proof structures which could be safely stored, transported and disposed of in burial grounds with minimal danger of environmental contamination. Progress is reported in two parts, one dealing with laboratory investigations and another concerning semicontinuous pilot plant studies based on the results of small-scale experiments. The study, concerned primarily with low-level radioactive wastes, is also extended to other industrial chemical wastes. Experimental plans and procedures are described for the investigation of the compatibilities of the wastes with the delicately balanced polymerization system. The laboratory studies are successfully extended into the pilot plant stage in a pilot plant constructed to achieve immobilization of the wastes in three steps: (1) batchwise preparation of the waste solution or slurry in an aqueous medium; (2) continuous emulsification by continuous, simultaneous addition of the waste solution/slurry and the encapsulating polymer resin; and (3) solidification of the emulsion in small-volume cans by emulsion transfer from Step 2, on a sequential basis, followed by initiator addition