RADIOACTIVE WASTE TREATMENT STRATEGY IN POLAND – A CONTRIBUTION OF RESEARCH PERFORMED AT INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY

Grazyna Zakrzewska-Trznadel

Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology
ul. Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: +48-22-5041214; Fax: +48-22-811-15-32
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ABSTRACT
 
First step of liquid low-level radioactive waste processing is reduction of the volume of radioactive species. Various methods for concentration of radioactive matter are studied and developed at Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (INCT). Reverse Osmosis process elaborated at INCT was implemented at Radioactive Waste Management Plant (RWMP), the utility responsible for collecting, processing, transporting, storage and disposal of solidified waste in the country. The other methods like ultrafiltration, membrane distillation, adsorption and integrated processes are studied in scope of national and international projects. In Poland radioactive waste arises from various applications of radioisotopes in industry, medicine and science, as well as from research nuclear reactors. Development of Polish Nuclear Power Program will imply necessary activities concerning the future strategy of radioactive waste treatment and development of programs for research on new methods and processes that will be feasible to treat liquid wastes coming from the operation of nuclear power station and related activities.