Commissariat a L'energie Atomique

Commissariat a L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives

Gilles Leturcq

Agnès Grandjean

Thibaud Delahaye

Christophe Baron

Florence Bart

Adeline Comte

Eléonore Welcomme

Martin Leblanc

The present invention relates to the use of a mixed carbonate of formula AB(CO), in which A and B are different and chosen from alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and rare earths, for the containment of radioactive carbon. This use may for example involve a process comprising: mixing COhaving a radioactive carbon to be contained, or a simple carbonate of an alkali, alkaline-earth or rare-earth metal having a radioactive carbon to be contained, with an aqueous solution of a mixture of ACland BClor with an aqueous solution of a mixture of A(OH), and B(OH)in order to obtain a precipitate of AB(CO), where n and m are integers sufficient to compensate for the charge of A and B respectively; recovery of the AB(CO)precipitate in powder form; and then pressing and sintering of the powder at a 20 temperature below the decarbonation temperature of the mixed carbonate manufactured in order to obtain sintered pellets of mixed carbonates for the containment of the radioactive carbon.

Use of sintered mixed carbonates for the confinement of radioactive carbon

Radioactive cesium is confined in a hollandite structure formed by a process that does not require reducing conditions.

Ceramic for packaging of radioactive cesium

Growing community of inventors

Camaret-sur-Aigues, France

Gilles Leturcq