Method of processing radioactive wastes

Purpose: To largely reduce the volume of ion exchange resin before introduction of a fixing agent in the radioactive wastes processing. Method: Ion exchange resin containing water is added with water necessary for decomposition reaction, a solid oxide as an oxygen source, and Cu+ ion, and then heated up to 250 deg C or higher and pressurized to 50 atm or higher, and more desirably up to 374 deg C or higher at which water is in its critical state and up to 215 atm or higher. The inherent characteristics of water suddenly changes to become of poor hydrogen bonding, becoming an excellent water-soluble agent to organic matters. Also, the solubility of inorganic salt lowers while the solubility of oxygen suddenly increases. Combining this phenomenon with the oxidization reaction catalystic action of Cn2+ ion decomposes the radioactive ion exchange resin, enabling efficient volume reduction. Thus efficient decomposition can be done in a short time and furthermore the generation of radioactive waste gas or waste water can be restrained. (Horiuchi, T.)