Immobilization in cement of ion exchange resins

Ion exchange resins (IER) represent the most important waste in terms of becquerels generated by French nuclear power plants, essentially pressurized water reactors (PWR). They represent an annual volume of about 900 m3, which must be packaged for disposal. A large part is found in the form of mixed anionic/cationic beds containing borates, the results being discharged without regeneration. Added to the IER from the French electrical utility EDF is a smaller and diversified production from the COGEMA reprocessing plants and the CEA research centers (a few dozen m3/year). These are often regenerated, low-level IER. Recent studies were carried out in France to improve ion exchange resin solidification in cement-based matrices. Work is conducted on different types of waste - cationic, anionic and mixed-bed resins - under regenerated and loaded states. The main objective is to increase the waste incorporation rate up to roughly 50% (in volume). Hydraulic cement formulas are developed taking into account waste chemistry, in particular the presence of ions which inhibit setting