RADIOACTIVE-WASTE FROM NUCLEAR-POWER-PLANTS .4. FACTORS AFFECTING THECHARACTERISTICS OF SIMULATING POLYMER WASTE PRODUCTS

The goal of this study, which is part of a coordinated research progra m that was arranged by the International Atomic Energy Agency, was aim ed at evaluating final waste forms and packages. Four different types of polymer matrices were used to incorporate simulating berate waste o riginating from a primary cooling circuit in a pressurized water react or. The factors affecting the properties of simulated polymer waste pr oducts that were studied included polymer waste ratios, the effect of accumulated radiation dose, water content added to loaded dry simulati ng berate waste, and the effect of given chemical components of polyme r matrix. The results obtained show that, where leaching criteria of t he final waste form was concerned, 50% of the immobilized dry simulati ng waste powder was a reasonable loading for all polymers under invest igation. The data obtained also indicated decreases in the compressive strength values of the solidified forms with an increase in the water content of the immobilized simulating berate waste powder.