Method of processing spent ion-exchange resins

Purpose: To process radioactive spent-ion exchange resins also as the pretreatment for obtaining solidification products of plastics for final storage. Method: After adding weakly alkaline weak acid salts into granular or powdery spent ion-exchange resins, they are dried and powderized. As the weak acid salt, weakly alkaline carbonate such as calcium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate are suited in view of the cost and the availability. The weakly alkaline weak acid salt is suitable as the additives because the pH value shows no substantial change and it can be added in the form of powder as it is. A pre-treatment suitable to the plastic solidification can be performed by a predetermined procedure irrespective of the mixing ratio and the residual exchange capacity of ion exchange resin, as well as no excess water content is introduced into the system. (Moriyama, K.)