Innovative waste treatment and conditioning technologies at nuclear power plants

The objective of this publication is to provide Member States with information on the most innovative technologies and strategies used in waste treatment and conditioning. At present, some of those technologies and strategies might not be widely implemented at nuclear power plants (NPP), but they have an important potential for their use as part of the long range NPP, utility, or national strategy. Thus, the target audience is those decision makers at the national and organizational level responsible for selecting waste processing technologies and strategies over a period of three to ten years. Countries and individual nuclear plants have limited financial resources which can be applied toward radioactive waste processing (treatment and conditioning). They are challenged to determine which of the many available technologies and strategies are best suited to meet national or local needs. This publication reduces the selection of processes for wastes generated by nuclear power plants to those technologies and strategies which are considered innovative. The report further identifies the key benefits which may derive from the adoption of those technologies, the different waste streams to which each technology is relevant, and the limitations of the technologies. The technologies and strategies identified have been evaluated to differentiate between (1) predominant technologies (those that are widely practiced in multiple countries or a large number of nuclear plants), and (2) innovative technologies (those which are not so widely used but are considered to offer benefits which make them suitable for broader application across the industry). Those which fall into the second category are the primary focus of this report. Many IAEA publications address the technical aspects of treatment and conditioning for radioactive wastes, covering research, technological advances, and safety issues. These studies and reports primarily target the research and technical staff of a nuclear power plant, other waste generators, or regulatory bodies. What is absent from the available literature is a publication written for managers, plant designers, and other decision makers which will assist them to synthesize the growing list of available technologies in a way which best meets their local needs. Thus, a need existed to develop a document which provides an overview of the innovative technologies currently employed at or in support of NPP, including the applicable waste streams, benefits and impacts of each technology, current applications within the nuclear community (who is using the technology), and any non-technical innovative approaches. This publication provides that information for key decision makers. The report was prepared by series of consultants and technical meetings during 2004-2006. A list of contributors to review of the material collected and to drafting and revision of the report is provided at the end of this report.