Treatment of waste metals from decommissioning

Decommissioning and demolishing nuclear installations produces not only rubbish and secondary waste but, above all, metal components. All these types of waste are treated so that a maximum in volume reduction is achieved. In the first instance, this objective can be met by safely recycling or re-using waste material in nuclear facilities. The boundary conditions under which this is possible in the Federal Republic of Germany, and the techniques employed, are outlined. Another method applied successfully is melting of the waste metals for re-use or waste minimization. All waste for which neither technique can be applied is compacted under high pressure or stored in a repository without previous treatment, but solidified in cement mortar or other fillers. A survey is given of the waste generated to date in the Federal Republic of Germany from decommissioning and repair of nuclear reactors. The methods of treatment and the quantities of individual waste streams are indicated as far as possible. The types of treatment available can be evaluated only in the light of existing legal boundary conditions. These conditions are likely to become tighter in the Federal Republic. The expected impact on the work at KfK of this development is described