A creation of crystalline matrix for actinide waste in KHLOPIN radium institute

One of the most topical problems of modern nuclear power engineering is spent nuclear fuel reprocessing high-level waste (HLW) disposal from the biosphere. The presence of long-lived and exclusively radiotoxic actinides: Np, Pu, Am, Cm, in spent nuclear fuel makes the solution of this problem very difficult. Taking into account developments available in the world practice, one may consider two principal ways to reach this goal: actinide waste disposal in the outer space and burial in deep geological formations. In this connection it is necessary to develop a technology for the synthesis of high-strength matrices that could incorporate in their structure HLW elements, binding them on the molecular level. The existing at present industrial technology for HLW immobilization by means of vitrification does not allow to solve the problem of removing waste from the biosphere. Much more interesting now seems actinide waste immobilization in crystalline matrices which are more reliable thermodynamically than glass. (author). 2 tabs