Operational experience with selective ion-exchange media in sluiceable pressurized demineralizers at nuclear power plants: Final draft

DURASIL selective ion-exchange media has been successfully used in processing liquid radioactive waste at several nuclear power plants. Processing at three (3) of these plants indicates that when selective ion-exchange DURASIL media replace non-selective organic ion-exchange resins, greater throughputs, substantial radwaste volume reduction, personnel exposure reduction, operator man-hour reductions, reduced effluent releases, and higher processing decontamination factors (DF) can be expected. Very little data was available on operator related matters (e.g., operator requirements, radiation exposure, etc.) or on the economics of the system. However it is known that DURASIL media has an average cost that is about 7-8 times that of organic ion exchange resins. Despite the lack of detailed cost data, there is an overall economic advantage with DURASIL media over organic resins: Effective ion exchange capacity is 5-10 times greater; only radioactive ion species are captured while other non-radioactive ions pass through; the DF for typical radioactive species is 5-15 times higher; and the process rate is 2-5 times faster. Power plants which are processing liquid waste streams with Duratek's products indicate that they are experiencing: Higher volumetric throughputs; increased liquid processing flowrates; reduced radioactivity DFs; reduced radioactive waste volumes required disposal; reduced operator time; and lower personal radiation exposure. 8 figs., 16 tabs