Method for conditioning radioactive ion exchange resins
A method for conditioning a contaminated ion exchange resin includes mixing the contaminated ion exchange resin with water and at least partly breaking up the contaminated ion exchange resin into water-soluble components or fragments through the use of an oxidizing agent added to the water. A resulting aqueous solution is consolidated with a binder, optionally after concentration by evaporation of water.
1. A method for conditioning a contaminated ion exchange resin, the method comprising the following steps:
mixing the contaminated ion exchange resin with water;
at least partly breaking up the contaminated ion exchange resin into water-soluble fragments with the aid of an oxidizing agent added to the water; and
consolidating a resulting aqueous solution with a binder.
2. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out the consolidating step after concentration by evaporation of water.
3. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises using cement as the binder.
4. The method according to claim 3 , which further comprises adding a base to the mixture before the consolidation with cement.
5. The method according to claim 4 , which further comprises using an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide as the base.
6. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises using hydrogen peroxide or ozone as the oxidizing agent.
7. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out an oxidation treatment at a temperature higher than room temperature.
8. The method according to claim 7 , which further comprises carrying out the oxidation treatment at a temperature of from 80° C. to 100° C.
9. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises choosing an amount of the oxidizing agent to cause less than 50% of the carbon present in the exchange resin to be oxidized into carbon dioxide and water.
10. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises choosing an amount of the oxidizing agent to cause less than 20% of the carbon present in the exchange resin to be oxidized into carbon dioxide and water.