HANDLING OF THE BOTTOM RESIDUES OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Abstract

The following technological operations are suggested for reprocessing bottom residues from nuclear power plants: separation of radionuclides using oxidation, filtration, and selective absorption, solidification and long-term storage of secondary radioactive wastes (cement compound from filtration stage and spent sorbent in filters); concentration and obtaining dry salts from bottom residues from which radionuclides have been removed. Laboratory and stand tests have been performed, showing that radionuclides can be removed from the bottom residues of nuclear power plants to a level below the ASAsat according to NRB-96. This treatment decreases the volume of radioactive wastes by approximately a factor of 100. The dried purified bottom residues, which are commercial danger class III wastes, are shipped to storage sites used for industrial wastes. Calculations of the material flows are performed and the site arrangement of the wastes is given for the bottom residues from the Kursk nuclear power plant. 1 figure, 2 tables, 12 references.