Study of incorporating radioactive wastes into the polystyrene

The feasibility on polymerizing and solidifying spent solvent and spent ion exchange resin from the reprocessing plant and nuclear power plant with styrene has been studied. Synthetic condition of polymer and incorporation process were studied. The incorporating condition under normal temperature and atmosphere pressure and the heat of reaction heat in the process of solidification was determined. The tests with actural spent solvent and resin saturated by cesium-134 were performed. The results of two kinds of the final products were as follows: leaching rates 10-6-10-7 and 10-6cm/d, respectively; accumulated leaching proportion 5x10-4 and 4x10-4cm; compressive strength 125 and 180 kg/cm2; incorporation ratio 3/5 and 1/1; volume reduction ratio 0.4-0.47 and 0.66-0.87; drop height without damage 10m and 9m; radiation resistance 108 rads. They possess better fire and heat resistance. The results show that products obtained are of good property and can satisfy the requirements for long distance transportation and safety storage. The process is easy to be applied on the engineering scale