Aspects of storage and disposal of nuclear materials (waste)

Title: Aspects of storage and disposal of nuclear materials (waste)

Author: Komleva, Elena Vladimirovna

Reference: Journal: Jurisprudence, Year: 2012 Issue: 1

Keywords: nuclear energy,   hydrocarbons,   nuclear waste,   international depositories,   nickel,   the SAMPO image

Abstract: This paper presents further consideration of the following interrelation in the energy production sphere: oil and gas business and international projects on the long-term storage of nuclear materials. There are discussed some Russian versions of construction of nuclear depositories as well as corresponding geological assessments. In particular, for the North-West Russia.

URL:http://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/aspekty-hraneniya-i-zahoroneniya-yadernyh-materialov

Method of cleaning and decontaminating equipment in nuclear power plants

Author: A.K. Andrianov, B.A. Gusev, A.A. Efimov, V.V. Krivobokov

Reference: Patent, 27.07.2009, Sosnovyi Bor patent holder: State enterprise scientific-research centre of technology named after A.P. Aleksandrov

Keywords: lead coolants, decontamination

Abstract: The current invention relates to nuclear power engineering and can be used for treatment and decontamination of equipment, operating in lead coolants, and for refinement (neutralization) of liquid radioactive waste generated during its purification, concentration and solidification. After decontamination of equipment with solutions of acetic acid, containing oxygen, stochiometric quantity of orthophosphoric acid or sulfuric acid or excess of phosphoric acid is introduced into the solution of liquid waste; then, generated heterogeneous product is treated with heat treatment at a temperature of 100~120℃; acetic acid condensate is returned to the process of decontamination cycle, and the treatment salt concentrates, produced by heat treatment, is treated with traditional binders and phosphate curing agents.

URL: http://www.findpatent.ru/patent/239/2397558.html

Method for processing irradiated boron carbide

Author: V.D. Risovanyi, A.V. Zakharov, E.P. Klochkov, A.G. Osipenko

Reference: Patent, 27.09.2000 patent holder: State Scientific Center Research Institute of Atomic Reactors

Keywords: boron carbide, waste

Abstract: The invention relates to nuclear technology. Technical result: it enhances efficiency of the usage of enriched boron carbide. Absorbent core, in the form of tablets, fragments of tablets or carbide powder of boron, is extracted from nuclear waste of reactor regulating rods. Decontaminates surface contaminations.

URL: http://www.findpatent.ru/patent/215/2156732.html

Bioindication of the anthropogenic effects on micropopulations of Pinus sylvestris, L. in the vicinity of a plant for the storage and processing of radioactive waste and in the Chernobyl NPP zone.

Keywords: Bioindication; Pinus sylvestris L.; Chromosome aberrations; Chernobyl accident

Abstract: Results of a comparative analysis of the frequency and spectrum of cytogenetic anomalies are presented for reproductive (seeds) and vegetative (needles) samples taken from Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris, L.) micropopulations growing at sites with differing levels of radioactive contamination in the Chernobyl NPP 30 km zone, and at the location of a facility for the processing and storage of radioactive wastes (the ‘Radon’ LWPE, near the town of Sosnovy Bor in the Leningrad Region). The data obtained indicate the presence of genotoxic contaminants in the environment of the tree micropopulations. Chemical toxins make the main contribution to the environmental contamination in the Sosnovy Bor area as compared with the influence of ionising radiation in the Chernobyl 30 km zone. The higher radioresistance of seeds of Scotch pine growing on the area of the ‘Radon’ LWPE and in the centre of Sosnovy Bor town was revealed with acute γ-radiation.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X02001224

Radioactive waste management and environmental contamination issues at the Chernobyl site.

Title: Radioactive waste management and environmental contamination issues at the Chernobyl site.

Author: Napier, B A / Schmieman, E A / Voitsekovitch, O

Reference: Health physics, 93 (5), p.441-451, Nov 2007

doi:　10.1097/01.HP.0000279602.34009.e3

Keywords:　contamination, Radioactive waste management, Chernobyl exclusion zone

Abstract: The destruction of the Unit 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant resulted in the generation of radioactive contamination and radioactive waste at the site and in the surrounding area (referred to as the Exclusion Zone). In the course of remediation activities, large volumes of radioactive waste were generated and placed in temporary near-surface waste storage and disposal facilities. Trench and landfill type facilities were created from 1986-1987 in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone at distances 0.5-15 km from the nuclear power plant site. This large number of facilities was established without proper design documentation, engineered barriers, or hydrogeological investigations and they do not meet contemporary waste-safety requirements. Immediately following the accident, a Shelter was constructed over the destroyed reactor; in addition to uncertainties in stability at the time of its construction, structural elements of the Shelter have degraded as a result of corrosion. The main potential hazard of the Shelter is a possible collapse of its top structures and release of radioactive dust into the environment. A New Safe Confinement (NSC) with a 100 y service life is planned to be built as a cover over the existing Shelter as a longer-term solution. The construction of the NSC will enable the dismantlement of the current Shelter, removal of highly radioactive, fuel-containing materials from Unit 4, and eventual decommissioning of the damaged reactor. More radioactive waste will be generated during NSC construction, possible Shelter dismantling, removal of fuel-containing materials, and decommissioning of Unit 4. The future development of the Exclusion Zone depends on the future strategy for converting Unit 4 into an ecologically safe system, i.e., the development of the NSC, the dismantlement of the current Shelter, removal of fuel-containing material, and eventual decommissioning of the accident site. To date, a broadly accepted strategy for radioactive waste management at the reactor site and in the Exclusion Zone, and especially for high level and long-lived waste, has not been developed.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18049220?dopt=Abstract