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Y. Pokhitonov , V. Kamachev V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, Russia D. Kelley

U.S. Department of Energy’s Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention in Russia: Results of Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Project, Year 2. Y. Pokhitonov , V. Kamachev V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, Russia D. Kelley Pacific Nuclear Solutions, USA. Purpose of Project.

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Y. Pokhitonov , V. Kamachev V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, Russia D. Kelley

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  1. U.S. Department of Energy’s Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention in Russia:Results of Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Project, Year 2 Y. Pokhitonov, V. Kamachev V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, Russia D. Kelley Pacific Nuclear Solutions, USA

  2. Purpose of Project • IPP sponsored by DOE to engage Russian weapons scientists in peaceful use of existing and newly developed technologies (17 projects underway) • DOE’s IPP program is a mechanism for U.S. private sector companies to enter Russian market: radwaste treatment • Introduce USA environmental technology to weapons sector and seek joint technologies – first foreign firm • Investigate solutions for Russia & USA liquid radwaste problems resulting from Cold War • DOE compensates scientists to participate in program • Long-term, commercialize project, employ scientists

  3. Project Participants • Russia • Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) • VG Khlopin Radium Institute (project manager) • Seversk (SCC ), Zheleznogorsk (MCC), Ozersk (MAYAK), Gatchyna • 90+ participants, 68 weapons scientists • USA • Department of Energy (GIPP) • Argonne National Lab • Pacific Nuclear Solutions (project manager) • International Science & Technology Center (ISTC) • Project administrator, Moscow

  4. Polymer Technology • Variety of polymers for all organic, oil and aqueous streams • Solidification of LLW, ILW & HLW • Packaging: • Standard drums / B-25 box • Encapsulation in cement • Disposal options: • Short term, intermediate term • Final storage • Incineration • Advantages: • No special equipment, low cost to process / treat • High performance, long term stability, no degradation • Waste minimization: oil 2:1 or 3:1 bonding ratio (liquid : polymer) • Safe to use, safe for transport

  5. Solidification Process

  6. Experiments Stability (Differential Thermal Analysis) Irradiation Gas generation Polymer solidification /capacity / evaporation Encapsulation in cement

  7. Differential Thermal Analysis Polymers: N910, N930, N960 Solidified samples with nitric acid and sodium nitrate possess high thermal stability

  8. Irradiation Tests / Results • Extensive irradiation testing conducted, required for ROSATOM certification • Over 25 irradiation tests • All similar outcomes with China, USA tests • All high dose rates • Cobalt 60 gamma irradiator • One example: nitric / organic solution, solidified 30 rad per second 30 days = 77 M Rad + 73 days = 270 M Rad • Brittle, size reduction, no degradation / leaching • Conducted for gas generation tests

  9. Irradiation Tests

  10. Stability and Irradiation Cobalt 60, gamma installation, dose rate 3.9·10⁶ gray N960 polymer, HNO₃, 1M, after irradiation N910 polymer, oil + TBP, after irradiation

  11. Gas Generation Tests • Tests required to determine fire and explosion safety conditions • Tests carried out under static conditions in sealed glass ampoules • N960 polymer + nitric solution: no changes in the solidification and no gas release • N910 polymer + TBP / oil: variable results • Preliminary judgment: polymers are not gas generators

  12. Rate of gas release during irradiation of sample: N910 polymer + 50%-TBP / 50%-oil

  13. Solidified sample after addition of waterSolution: HNO₃ 1,0M No volumetric increase

  14. Polymer Solidification/ Capacity / Evaporation: Conclusions • Polymer technology is irreversible, liquid permanently immobilized in polymer matrix • Advantage: direct application of polymer to waste without conditioning / additives • Little or no volumetric increase in the process • Appreciable volume reduction through evaporation; no measurement of water vapor • Polymers slow the evaporation process • Polymers are versatile, solidify aqueous / organic waste of varying acidities, specific activities, suspensions and sludge types & salts

  15. Encapsulation of Polymer Solidification • Cementation tests at AREVA & Sellafield successfully completed, with 90% organic / 10% aqueous streams • When aqueous is above 10%, new technique for encapsulation is required • Encapsulation research underway: • additives to solidification • additives to cement • tests with inorganic materials encouraging

  16. Conclusions • Experiments conducted thus far provide greater understanding of polymer’s capabilities • Validates the polymer’s application with ILW / HLW waste • First actual project planned for 1st Q, 2011 • ILW aqueous waste with some organic material • Results of work 3 sub-sites will be presented in 2011

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