• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2023

Various decontamination technologies have been developed for removing contaminated areas in industries. Although it is important to consider parameters such as safety, cost, and time when selecting the decontamination technology, till date their comparative study is missing. Furthermore, different decontamination technologies influence the decontamination effects in different ways. Therefore, this study compares different decontamination techniques for the steam generator using a multicriteria decision-making method. A steam generator is a large device comprising both low- and very low-level waste (LLW, VLLW) and reflects the difference in weights of the standards according to the classification of the waste. For LLW and VLLW decontaminations, chemical oxidizing reduction decontamination (CORD) and decontamination grit blasting were used as the preferred techniques, respectively, considering the purpose of decontamination differs based on the initial state of waste. An expert survey revealed that safety in LLW and waste minimization in VLLW exhibited high preference. This evaluation method can be applied not only to the comparison between each process, but also to the creation of process scenarios. Therefore, determining the decontamination approach using logical decision-making methods may improve the safety and economic feasibility of each step in the decommissioning process and ensure a public acceptance.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.451-459
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of a solidifying agent for recycling the fine powder separated from the nuclear power plant decommissioned concrete as a solidifying agent(SA) for radioactive waste. In order to evaluate the performance of the solidifying agent, a powder simulating the fine powder of waste concrete separated from the dismantled concrete of a nuclear power plant was produced, and the main variables were the type of binder and the replacement ratio of zeolite. The solidifying agent was evaluated for fluidity performance, compressive strength, and leaching resistance to non-radioactive cesium. The compressive strength of SA increased as the zeolite replacement ratio increased, and the SA containing 5% or more of zeolite showed a compressive strength that was 1.4 to 1.7 times higher than the acceptance criteria. The cesium leaching index of all specimens was 6 or higher, satisfying the acceptance criteria, and the leaching index of SA was 1.47~1.63 times higher than that of OPC. In particular, the average leaching index after 28 days of the 5% zeolite-substituted solidifying agent was 9.15, which was improved by about 6.4% compared to OPC, and it was confirmed that the zeolite was effective in improving the leaching resistance to cesium ions by showing stable performance over the entire period.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.489-500
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• 2022

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities produces various types of radiologically contaminated waste. In addition, dismantlement activities, including cutting, packing, and clean-up at the facility site, result in secondary radioactive waste such as filters, resin, plastic, and clothing. Determining of the radionuclide content of this waste is an important step for the determination of a suitable management strategy including classification and disposal. In this work, we radiochemically characterized the radionuclide activities of filters used during the decommissioning of Korea Research Reactors (KRRs) 1 and 2. The results indicate that the filter samples contained mainly ³H (500-3,600 Bq·g^-1), ¹⁴C (7.5-29 Bq·g^-1), ⁵⁵Fe (1.1- 7.1 Bq·g^-1), ⁵⁹Ni (0.60-1.0 Bq·g^-1), ⁶⁰Co (0.74-70 Bq·g^-1), ⁶³Ni (0.60-94 Bq·g^-1), ⁹⁰Sr (0.25-5.0 Bq·g^-1), ¹³⁷Cs (0.64-8.7 Bq·g^-1), and ¹⁵²Eu (0.19-2.9) Bq·g^-1. In addition, the gross alpha radioactivity of the samples was measured to be between 0.32-1.1 Bq·g^-1. The radionuclide concentrations were below the concentration limit stated in the low- and intermediatelevel waste acceptance criteria of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, and used for the disposal of the KRRs waste drums to a repository site.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.276-284
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• 2022

In this study, performance evaluation and rheological characteristics were analyzed for recycling the fine powder of nuclear power plant dismantled waste concrete as a solidifying agent for radioactive waste disposal. The radioactive concrete fine powder was used to prepare a simulated sample, and the test specimen was prepared using Di-water, CoCl₂, and 1 mol CsCl aqueous solution as mixing water. Regardless of the aggregate mixing ratio and the type of mixing water, it satisfies the performance standard of 3.45 MPa for compressive strength at 28 days of age. All specimens satisfied the criteria for submersion strength, and the thermal cycle compressive strength satisfies the criteria for all specimens except Plain-50. As a result of evaluating the rheological properties of the solidifying agent, it was found that the increase in the aggregate mixing rate decreased the yield stress and plastic viscosity. The leaching index for cobalt and cesium of all specimens was 6 or higher, which satisfies the standard. In order to secure the stable performance of the solidifying agent, it is considered effective to use 40 % or less of the aggregate component in the solidifying agent.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2018

While using an electrokinetic method to analyze the characteristics of cement solidification of radioactive wastes from decontaminated uranium soil and concrete, the compressive strength, pH, electrical conductivity, irradiation effects, and volume expansion were measured for the solidified cement specimens. The workability of cement solidified from radioactive waste was about 170-190%. After the solidified cement was irradiated, the compressive strength decreased by about 15%, but met the criteria ($34kgf{\cdot}cm^{-2}$) of KORAD (Korea Radioactive Waste Agent). According to the results of SEM-EDS for solidified cement, the aluminum phase was well combined with cement, while the calcium phase was separated from cement. The volume of solidified cement in radioactive wastes was dependent on the waste-to-cement ratio and the amount of water, and increased by about 30% under the conditions used in this study. Therefore, it was concluded that permanent disposal of electrokinetically decontaminated radioactive wastes is appropriate.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.321-331
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• 1989

A bench scale incineration process for the burnable radwaste has been constructed and operated at KAERI as a self-surpported development of incineration technology. The purposes of operating the process are to get experience in incineration, to analyze the characteristics of combustion and to test the performance of off-gas treatment units. Simulated paper and polyethylene wastes were incinerated. Volume reduction ratio and decontamination factor of the process have been determined to observe the economical efficiency and operational capability of the process. A methodology to estimate the acceptance limit of specific activity to an incineration facility by using a decontamination factor and to calculate the volume reduction ratio of the facility is introduced. The acceptance criteria for different radionuclides in the combustible waste at the bench scale incineration process are suggested using this methodology.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the manufacturing process of non-sintered cement for the safe containment of radioactive waste using low level or ultra-low level radioactive waste soil generated from nuclear-decommissioning facilities, clay minerals, and blast furnace slag (BFS) as an industrial by-product recycling and to characterize the products using mineralogical and morphological analyses. A stepwise approach was used: (1) measuring properties of source materials (reactants), such as waste soil, clay minerals, and BFS, (2) manufacturing the non-sintered cement for the containment of radioactive waste using source materials and deducing the optimal mixing ratio of solidifying and adjusting agents, and (3) conducting mineralogical and morphological analyses of products from the hydration reactions of manufactured non-sintered cement solidifier (NSCS) containing waste concrete generated from nuclear-decommissioning facilities. The analytical results of NSCS using waste soil and clay minerals confirmed none of the hydration products, but calcium silicate (CSH) and ettringite were examined as hydration products in the case of using BFS. The compressive strength of NSCS manufactured with the optimum mixing ratio and using waste soil and clay minerals was 3 MPa after the 28-day curing period, and it was not satisfied with the acceptance criteria (3.44 MPa) for being brought in disposal sites. However, the compressive strength of NSCS using BFS was estimated to be satisfied with the acceptance criteria, despite manufacturing conditions, and it was maximized to 27 MPa at the optimal mixing ratio. The results indicate that the most relevant NSCS for the safe containment of radioactive waste can be manufactured using BFS as solidifying agent and using waste soil and clay minerals as adsorbents for radioactive nuclides.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2013

Since the decommissioning of nuclear plants and facilities, large quantities of slightly contaminated concrete waste have been generated. In Korea, the decontamination and decommissioning of the KRR-1, 2 at the KAERI have been under way. And concrete waste was generated about 800 drums of 200 L. The conditioning of concrete waste is needed for final disposal. The concrete waste is conditioned as follows: mortar using coarse and fine aggregates is filled void space after concrete rubble pre-placement into 200 L drum. Thus, this research has developed an optimizing mixing ratio of concrete waste, water, and cement and has evaluated characteristics of a cement waste form to meet the requirements specified in disposal site specific waste acceptance criteria. The results obtained from compressive strength test, leaching test, thermal cycling test of cement waste forms conclude that the concrete waste, water, and cement have been suggested to have 75:15:10wt% as the optimized mixing ratio. Also, the compressive strength of cement waste form was satisfied that including fine powder up to maximum 40wt% in concrete debris wastes about 75%. As a result of scale-up test, the mixture of concrete waste, water, and cement is 75:10:15wt% meet the satisfied compressive strength because the free water increased with and increased in particle size.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.187-195
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• 2006

The regulation for the low and intermediate level radioactive waste to be transferred to the disposal facility, recently revised, require that radioactive waste generators should set up waste certification program to verify the radioactive waste conform to the waste acceptance criteria(WAC) before disposal. The radioactive waste disposal facility, scheduled to be constructed in Korea, will institute WAC for the wastes to be transferred to the facility. This WAC is expected to compose of the requirements for the radiological characterization, physical and chemical characterization, physical/chemical restriction, prohibited item, packaging, identification, labeling, and documentation. For the compliance with this regulation, The radioactive waste generators should verify that the waste meet WAC through performance of the waste certification program and are responsible for handing in all the certification documents to the disposal facility. This waste certification program plan was set up as a preliminary program for the certification of radioactive waste generated in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and should be further revised until preparation of WAC by disposal agent.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.387-398
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• 2003

For reference human intrusion scenarios constructed in previous study, a probabilistic safety assessment to derive the radionuclide concentration limits for the low- and intermediate- level radioactive waste disposal facility is conducted. Statistical approach by the Latin Hypercube Sampling method is introduced and new assumptions about the disposal facility system are examined and discussed. In our previous study of deterministic approach, the post construction scenarios appeared as most limiting scenario to derive the radionuclide concentration limits. Whereas, in this statistical approach, the post drilling and the post construction scenarios are mutually competing for the scenario selection according to which radionuclides are more important in safety assessment context. Introduction of new assumption shows that the post drilling scenario can play an important role as the limiting scenario instead of the post-construction scenario. When we compare the concentration limits between the previous and this study, concentrations of radionuclides such as Nb-94, Cs-137 and alpha-emitting radionuclides show elevated values than the case of the previous study. Remaining radionuclides such as Sr-90, Tc-99 I-129, Ni-59 and Ni-63 show lower values than the case of the previous study.