Incorporation of radioactive waste in bitumen 10 years of R and D and cooperation between CDTN and Electronuclear

This paper presents a description of the contribution of the research center, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, to the different stages of the implementation of the waste treatment process in Nuclear Power Plant, Angra 2, using national bitumen as a matrix. This work was comprised of the following phases: evaluation in the experimental tests in the pilot scale of the national bitumen to be used as a matrix in an industrial plant; the comparison with the specified imported bitumen; the implementation of the characterization tests of the waste forms in accordance with national and international standards; the tests during the commissioning and during the operation of the bituminization system and the treatment of the radioactive evaporator concentrate waste generated in Angra 2. Also the laboratory technicians were trained by CDTN, according to ABNT and ISO standards, for the wasteform characterization thereby concluding the knowledge transfer. This cooperation between CDTN technicians and ELETRONUCLEAR specialists aimed at improving the implementation of conditioning the radioactive waste from nuclear power plant in national bitumen. (author)