Appeal No. 95-1645
Application No. 07/866,780
1. A method for encapsulating wastes, said method
comprising the steps of:
applying microwave energy to said wastes to raise the
temperature of said wastes to a first temperature, said first
temperature sufficient to incinerate organic material in said
wastes;
incinerating said organic material;
applying microwave energy to said wastes to raise the
temperature of said wastes from said first temperature to a
second temperature, said second temperature being higher than
said first temperature;
holding said waste at said temperature until said waste
melts; and
allowing said melted waste to cool.
The single reference relied upon by the examiner is:
Hardwick et al. (Hardwick), "The Vitrification of High-Level
Wastes Using Microwave Power," in International Seminar on
Chemistry and Process Engineering for High-Level Liquid Waste
Solidification, pp. 53-67, (June, 1981).
Claims 1-9 and 11-21 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103
over Hardwick. We reverse this rejection.
BACKGROUND
Claims 1-9 and 11-21 are directed to methods of treating
wastes to obtain a "glass" encased solid product. As
discussed on pages 1 and 2 of the specification, the methods
are particularly useful for encapsulating hazardous wastes and
reducing the amount of space dedicated to disposing of these
wastes. Vitrification of wastes, particularly radioactive
2
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