Characterization of Radioactive Waste for the PBMR Fuel Plant

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Pilot Fuel Plant which will built in North West Province, South Africa will produce various types and classes of wastes. Some of the waste will be contaminated with uranium rendering them radioactive. Although the radioactive waste will be classified as Low and Intermediate Level waste, This paper defines how PBMR Pilot Fuel Plant is going to characterize the radioactive waste generated by determining the physical, chemical and radiological properties of waste to establish the need for further adjustment, treatment, conditioning or its suitability for further handling, processing, storage or disposal. The techniques applicable in this characterization process are xray spectrometry, ion beam analysis, gamma spectroscopy, alpha spectroscopy and nuclear micro-analysis. These techniques will ensure that waste classification is according to IAEA expectations and national regulatory requirements. (author)