Development of solidification techniques for radioactive sludge produced by a research reactor

Abstract

In the last forty years in the Vinca Institute, as a result of the operation of two research reactors, named RA and RB, and as a result of the application of radionuclides in medicine, industry and agriculture, radioactive waste materials of different levels of specific activity were generated. As a temporary solution, it is proposed that radioactive waste materials be stored in two interim storages. Radwaste materials that were immobilized in the inactive matrices are to be placed into,concrete containers, for further manipulation and disposal. The present paper reports the results on the preliminary removal of sludge from the bottom of the spent fuel storage pool in the RA reactor, mechanical filtration of the pool water and sludge conditioning and storage. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.