Retrieval and conditioning of high level radioactive solid waste from pit-type storage facilities

A city radioactive waste temporary storage facility was operated for many years and aged seriously. In the 1970s, some high level radioactive solid waste (HLW) was stored in this facility because of bad management, which threatens the environment safety and should be retrieved and conditioned as soon as possible. According to the real condition in site, a retrieval technical process for HLW utilizing 'robot-airproof work cell' was employed the Department of Radioactive Waste Management, CIAE. The HLW was located in the No. 17 pit through contaminated level and detected hot-spot. After the mock-up test, the retrieval technical process was optimized. Finally, the HLW was successfully retrieved and conditioned in remote control way. (authors)