WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIMIZATION - THE COGEMA ANSWER

The reprocessing-conditioning-recycling (RCR) strategy experimented by COGEMA drastically reduces the volume and the radiotoxicity of ultima te residues to be disposed. Technical improvements at the La Hague rep rocessing plant, including compaction of hulls and end-fittings, decre ases the volume of long-lived residues to less than 0.5 m(3) per t HM (heavy metal), far less than 2 m(3) yielded for direct disposal of spe nt fuel. Moreover, a Universal Canister of same shape and dimensions a s a glass canister for vitrified fission products has been designed to standardize these residues. Respectively, the new management of short -lived technological wastes will lessen their volume from 1.4 m(3) per t HM in 1995 down to around 0.6 m(3) by 2000. (C) 1997 Published by E lsevier Science S.A.