ABSTRACT
Stabilization is a technology for treating hazardous, radioactive, and mixed wastes, debris, and contaminated environmental media. The objective is to reduce the hazard (solubility, leaching, toxicity) of specific contaminants so that the resulting waste forms can be disposed of in approved/licensed facilities. In general, the stabilization chemistry and technologies that are applied to hazardous and low-level radioactive wastes are also applicable to mixed wastes. However, innovative technologies are required for unique processing requirements/limitations and for some specific waste streams. Treatment technologies related to chemical stabilization and fixation include vitrification (high-level mixed wastes), sintering, hydrothermal processing, and hot isostatic pressing. These processes have the same objective as stabilization/fixation but are carried out at higher temperatures and require rigorous off-gas controls. Most stabilized waste forms are processed at ambient temperatures and have ventilation controls appropriate for the radioactive and chemical contaminants present in the waste.
