Characterization of low and intermediate level CANDU reactor wastes for disposal

Low and intermediate level CANDU reactor wastes radwastes are being characterized for composition, radiological hazard and conditioning requirements to enable eventual disposal of the wastes in rock caverns or in-ground concrete monoliths. The four main waste classifications are: combustible, compactable, non-processable and ion exchange resin. Studies have determined the radioactivity of incinerable and compactable waste is low and the activity of these wastes decreases considerably within ten years of production. Research is continuing on the characterization of non-processable and ion exchange resin wastes. It is expected suitable packaging is all that will be required for non-processable waste and only ion exchange resins will require sophisticated conditioning treatment because of their relatively high carbon-14 loading. (orig./PW)