eksorb technology of embedding of spent ion exchange resin into polymeric matrix

EKSORB

Technology of embedding of spent radioactive ion exchange resins into polymeric matrix

CONTENTS

• Task • Current technologies of treatment spent ion exchange resins• Technologies of solidification spent exchange resins into polymers• EKSORB’s technology of embedding of spent radioactive ion exchange resins into

polymeric matrix • Advantages of EKSORB’s technology• Conclusion

TASK

• Radioactive waste, including radioactive waste sorbents, such as ion exchange resins (IER), are processed with purpose of reducing their initial volume and converting them in a stable form for further storing (disposal).

• Free moisture content in a volume of the conditioned product and in a package of waste materials delivered for disposal shall not be over 3%.

• Loose waste materials shall be contained into a strong matrix.

Current technologies of treatment spent ion exchange resins (IER)

• Method of drying (centrifuging) wherein dehydrated IER are located in containers• Method of conditioning radioactive IER by implementing into bituminous or cement matrix• Method of conditioning IER by encapsulation into polymeric matrix (DTS, MERCURE)• Methods of vitrification and plasma incineration, with producing a vitrified product• Methods of thermal treatment radioactive ion exchange resins (pyrolysis)

Disadvantages of current technologies of treatment spent ion exchange resin

• Formation of aggressive gases and carry-over of radio nuclides at heat treatment; use of toxic reagents• Complexity of heat treatment due to many phases and complicated gas treatment• Low factor of reducing volume at drying• Increase of volume at bituminization or cementation up to 10 times• Resins are apt to swelling which leads to breaking of cement compound• Low radiation stability, leaching, combustibility at solidification into polymeric matrix• Too complicated equipment

1m3 SIER

11 m3 cement compound

Advanced Polymer Solidification Technology APSTM Mixing by DTS

• РАЗЛИЧНЫЕ СПОСОБЫ ОБРАЩЕНИЯ И ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ

ОТРАБОТАННЫХ ИОС:

Embedding spent ion exchange resins by MERCURE


ОТРАБОТАННЫХ ИОС:

Known disadvantages of technologies APSTM Mixing and MERCURE

• High price of matrix material • Low radiation stability• Flammability• Aptness to ageing• Non-uniform surface• Cs leaching rate above normative rate

Technology of embedding of spent radioactive ion exchange resins into polymeric matrix EKSORB

Works has been conducted on installations of NPP EKSORB LLC aimed at substantiation of applicability of basic processes of the presented technology. • producing of simulants of sorbent (IER) slurries at various combinations of resins AV-17

(anionite) and KU-1-8 (cationite) • elaboration of modes of sorbent vacuum drying• selection of components for producing polymeric matrix and testing thereof• manufacture and testing of samples of compound on basis of polymeric matrix and dried IERs

• ОТРАБОТАННЫХ ИОС:

Technology of embedding of spent radioactive ion exchange resins into polymeric matrix EKSORB


ОТРАБОТАННЫХ ИОС:Vacuum dryer

Polymer Additives

Properties of finished product upon embedding IER into polymeric matrix by technology of EKSORB

• Low flammability (resistant to burning) • Water resistance• High retaining power: Cs leaching rate is less than the normative rate per GOST

52126-2003• Mechanical strength• Uniformity of the produced polymeric compound• Reducing of volume of the spent ion exchange resin by 2.5 times

Water resistance Homogenous compound

CONCLUSION

The achieved features of the finished products produced embedding spent ion exchange resin into polymeric matrix conform to the applicable requirements to hardened radioactive wastes.

Basic advantages of the method of IER hardening by polymeric binders: • simple equipment for realization thereof• near zero power consumption• no secondary wastes (except for condensate which is generated at resin drying) • reducing of volume of the finished product• high reference level (similar methods are used at US and French nuclear power plants)

On opinion of EKSORB’s specialists, use of the technology of embedding spent ion exchange resin into polymeric matrix is at present the most promising for its implementation at creating complexes of solid radioactive waste treatment.

Thanks for your attention