ABSTRACT
Chemical solutions containing sodium compounds have historically been used in nuclear fuels-reprocessing plants to clean up extraction solvents, to decontaminate process equipment, to neutralize acidic wastes, and to convert the contaminants in the waste streams into insoluble metal-hydroxide precipitates. This chapter focuses on emerging technologies that have shown potential for treating the acidic sodium-bearing waste (SBW). Waste decontamination follows the traditional approach to radioactive waste treatment; that is, separation, isolation, and or recovery of the trace contaminants. Separation of the transuranium elements will generally reduce the SBW to a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Class C low-level wastes designation. Freeze crystallization is a developing technology that separates solution components by converting one or more to a solid or crystalline phase. This is accomplished by removing heat and reducing the solution temperature below the freezing point of one or more of the solution components.
