Microbiological treatment of oil-containing radioactive waste prior to cementation

Abstract

Microbiological oxidation of liquid organic radioactive waste (ORW), spent vacuum and transformer oils, is described. The physicochemical properties of oils and their structural-group composition before and after using in the process cycle were studied. Changes in the structural-group composition and physicochemical parameters of oils upon microbiological treatment were determined. The distribution of radionuclides between the organic and aqueous phases upon microbiological treatment was studied by the example of model ORW containing ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ²³⁸Pu, and ²⁴¹Am. The compatibility of oils subjected to microbiological treatment with the cement compound intended for ORW disposal was evaluated. The biological step of the radioactive oil processing leads to a decrease in the weight and volume of the organic radioactive waste and increases its amount that can be incorporated into the cement compound (to 30 vol %) without deterioration of the strength characteristics of the cement.