"Significant amounts of low-level spent ion-exchange resins required for utilization have accumulated at nuclear power plants in the Russian Federation. Utilization based on their specific character is distinguished by relatively high economic costs. A comparative analysis of technologies and methods of spent radioactive ion-exchange resins reprocessing of nuclear power plants is carried out. The forecast of an increase in the number of spent ion-exchange resins, which are liquid radioactive waste from the operation of nuclear power units, is presented. The main goal of this research is to solve the problem of spent ion-exchange resins utilization by the most environmentally safe way with minimal formation of solid radioactive residue. The technologies of cementation, bitumenization, vitrification, polymer matrix fixation, deep decontamination, thermal reprocessing of spent ion-exchange resins, as well as utilization methods combining all the mentioned above technologies for spent ion exchanger reprocessing are considered. The technological features of each method are described; both their advantages and main disadvantages are defined, as well as the prospects for their practical use. The requirements providing reliability of storage are analyzed for ion-exchange resins before their delivery for storage, disposal or further reprocessing. These requirements include both spent ion exchange resin dehydration and carrying out of technological operations leading to the destructuring of the ion exchange resin polymer matrix or irreversible changes on the surface of their grains, and, consequently, to the loss of the propensity of ion exchange resins to swell when contact with water."
Translated title of the contributionUtilization problems of spent ion-exchange resins of nuclear power plants
Original languageRussian
Pages (from-to)119-134
Number of pages16
JournalБутлеровские сообщения
Volume49
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Level of Research Output

  • VAK List

    GRNTI

  • 31.15.00

ID: 1992596