OREX reg-sign based ''point of generation'' low-level radioactive waste reduction program

Nuclear power facilities generate material called Dry Active Waste (DAW). DAW can be any material contaminated with radioactive particles as long as it is not a fluid, typically: paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, cloth, and any other solid which is contaminated and determined to be dry. Facilities that generate low-level radioactive waste need to dramatically reduce their waste volumes. In order to address this issue, the industry must look to the application of ''point of generation'' technologies. For the purposes of this discussion, point of generation is a concept that will allow the DAW wastes generated at a facility to be processed at that same facility. There are two specific issues to address with this concept. The first issue deals with the establishment of a line of products which can be used for personnel protection and particle barriers that offers easy disposal at the point of generation. The second issue involves the technology for the disposal. The first issue has been resolved by the development of Isolyser's OREX materials. The OREX product is a hot-water soluble, biodegradable, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based material. When Isolyser's OREX product is placed in an aqueous environment maintained at a temperature of approximately 88 C, the OREX material will decompose and go into solution. After the OREX has been dissolved, any radioactive contaminants are collected by passing them through specially designed resin columns. Once the contaminants have been collected, the dissolved OREX solution can be monitored and discharged from the facility