Solid Radioactive Waste Strategy Report.pdf - UK EPR

EPR UK
N° NESH-G/2008/en/0123
REV. A PAGE 69 / 257
Disadvantages
· Not suitable for:
o Non-compactable objects;
o Pressurised containers.
FIGURE 15: SUPER COMPACTOR USED FOR SPECIALLY DESIGNED COMPACTABLE
DRUMS
7.3.15 Conditioning Evaporator Concentrates By In Drum Drying
Evaporator concentrates and filter sludges are two significant radioactive wet wastes produced
during the normal operation of nuclear power plants. Although the solids and salts content can
vary significantly depending on the origin of the wastes, drying of these wastes results in a
significant reduction in the volume of waste generated [Ref.45]. The final waste form is a dry,
solid product that is easy to dispose of. If the waste contains a sufficiently high salt content, the
dried waste will form a solid, monolithic block encapsulating sludge and other solids (e.g.
resins). The negative effects of product ageing are virtually eliminated or minimised due to the
minimial residual water content of the dried wastes. Residual water is typically bound as crystal
water in the salt. Where resins are encapsulated the salt will fully saturate the resins during
conditioning.
In this technique the disposal container (e.g. a cast iron container) is placed under vacuum and
heated, resulting in evaporation of the liquid component of the waste. The resulting vapours