Phase I will determine the feasibility of a process for treating spent organic resins containing radionuclear waste. Since resins are hydrophilic, they compete with cement for water during the curing process. Also, the resin shrinks and swells because of reabsorption of water; this results in deformation and cracking of the cement/resin solid. The present method will eliminate the organic components of the resin waste, remove excess water, and retain the inorganic components. The remaining mass can be contained in a leach resistant slag or glass, which can be readily blended with cement to form a stable leach resistant solid. Removal of the water and organics from the spent resin results in at least a tenfold reduction in the volume of resin waste. The advantages of this process are that it: eliminates the problems associated with resin shrinkage and swelling; eliminates organics and water while retaining inorganics, effectively reducing the resin waste volume; provides a mobile system for onsite use that can be run in batch or continuous mode; and is an energy self-sufficient system that can be run on a large or small scale. Phase I will provide an understanding of the chemistry and process parameters, the chemical and physical characteristics of materials, and an estimate of the quality of the final product. It will identify the critical operational parameters and provide the basis for developing a scaled-up prototype in Phase II.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:Development of an innovative, energy self-sufficient process for treating organic resins containing radionuclear waste will have immediate application at civilian, government, and university nuclear reactor sites. The process offers at least a ten-fold reduction in the volume of resinous waste to be blended with cement and provides a stable aggregate that reduces the deformation and cracking of the cement/resin solid. The process can potentially be applied to a wide range of hazardous materials including halogenated organic/heavy metal sludges.
