Waste management and analytics at VKTA

VKTA decommissions the old nuclear facilities of former GDR's Central Institute of Nuclear Research and is responsible for fissile material and waste management, environmental and radiation protection and runs an accredited laboratory for environmental and radionuclide analytics. Main objective is the minimization of radioactive waste. Therefore VKTA integrates its analytics in all decommissioning steps for radiological survey. Intensive analytical determination is urgent because of various nuclide vectors, consisted of alpha- beta- and gamma emitting nuclides. VKTA uses in-situ-technology and modern analytical technology for activity determination. Solid wastes are treated in a treatment facility by mechanical methods, pressure beaming, ultrasonic or chemical decontamination, drying and pressing. Liquid wastes are treated chemically and by ion exchangers. For decay storage and waste for final disposal VKTA operates an interim storage. As examples the treatment of the old reactor vessel and the solidification of fission product solutions are explained in the report. (orig.)