2. NOCHAR polymers: an aqueous and organic liquid solidification process for Cadarache LOR (Liquides Organiques Radioactifs)
CE.VAUDEY
AREVA BUA
Technical Direction
25/02/2013

3. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Summary
Introduction
Waste handling
Cadarache LOR waste streams characteristics
Method and experimental device
Results and discussion
Conclusion and outlook
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4. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Introduction
Waste handling
For VLLW and LLW handling in France : 2 options
Incineration at CENTRACO facility
Disposal facility on ANDRA sites
Waste acceptance in a radwaste route
Adequacy Waste characteristics/Radwaste route specifications
In case of incompatible : necessary to find an alternative solution
A waste pre-treatment process
Cadarache LOR waste streams characteristics
2 radioactive scintillation cocktails
LOR 20
LOR 75
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5. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Volume (L) and Mass (kg)
208L and 206kg
137L and 137kg
Composition
11% Xylene
1.6% Mesitylene
0.4% Diphenyloxazole
0.1% TBP
91.4% Water
8.6% TBP
Physical chemistry characteristics
1.7 mg.g-1 Chloride
0.61 mg.g-1 Fluoride
0.9 mg.g-1 Sulfate
1.3 mg.g-1 Chloride
0.23 mg.g-1 Fluoride
2.1 mg.g-1 Sulfate
Radiological characterisctics
Spectra
Am-241
Co-60
Cs-137
H-3
Pu-241
Mass activity
AAlpha = 3.78x108 Bq.g-1
ABeta/Gamma = 5.55x105 Bq.g-1
ATritium = 3.47x106 Bq.g-1
AAlpha = 8.67x108 Bq.g-1
ABeta/Gamma = 8.62x103 Bq.g-1
LLW (mass activity equal to some kBq.g-1) + Organic and aqueous components + Presence of significant quantities of tritium, chlorine and fluorine
Needs of a pre-treatment : NOCHAR polymers as solidification process
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6. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Method and experimental device
NOCHAR polymers
N910 for organic liquids solidification
N960 for aqueous liquids solidification
Implementing of polymers technology = 2 main steps
mixing waste/polymer
curing during 24h to 48h
Process specificities
For N910 : Creation of permanent chemical bonds between organic liquids and polymer
For N960 : Creation of strong mechanical bonds between aqueous liquids and polymer
Final product = immobilised solid stable under radiation, non-toxic, not dangerous, non-corrosive and non-biodegradable
Evaluation of formulation validity : approach in 3 steps
Identification of the ideal polymer formulation with a Waste/Polymer mass ratio 1:1
Increase of Waste/Polymer mass ratio
Observations, evaluations of residual liquid presence/absence and manual exudation tests
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7. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Mass ratio N960 : N910
1 : 0
0.85 : 0.15
0.70 : 0.30
0.50 : 0.50
0.25 : 0.75
LOR 20
LOR 75
Mass ratio N960 : N910
1 : 0
0.75 : 0.25
0.50 : 0.50
0.25 : 0.75
Results and discussion
Ideal polymer formulation?
3 types of results
Sticky, doughy, glistening with presence of residual moisture or waste
Dry sample
Dry sample with presence of polymer N910 excess
Ideal polymer formulation = Dry sample
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8. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Ideal Waste/Polymer mass ratio?
For ideal polymer formulation, 3 ratios
1 : 1 -> Dry sample
2 : 1 -> Sticky, doughy, glistening with presence of residual moisture
4 : 1 -> Sticky, doughy, glistening with presence of residual waste
Ideal Waste/Polymer mass ratio = 1 : 1
Mass ratio N960 : N910
0.50 : 0.50
LOR 20
LOR 75
0.25 : 0.75
Mass ratio N960 : N910
0.50 : 0.50
0.25 : 0.75
LOR 75
LOR 20
LOR 20
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9. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Observations, evaluations of residual liquid presence/absence and manual exudation tests ?
For ideal polymer formulation and Waste/Polymer mass ratio 1 :1
After a curing of 1 and 20h, no moisture and no waste desorption under exudation test
Mass ratio N960 : N910
0.50 : 0.50
0.25 : 0.75
LOR 20
LOR 75
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10. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Discussion
For LOR 20
Ideal formulation : N910/N960 mass ratio equal to 0.50 : 0.50
N910 absorption power higher than the N960 one
Ideal Waste/Polymer mass ratio equal to 1 : 1
Xylene and mesitylene composed of a benzenic ring and methyl groups
-> Limited number of free carbon atoms
-> Negative effects on the reactive mechanism which occurs during the Waste/Polymer mixing to form covalent bonds between the two products
For LOR 75
Ideal formulation : N910/N960 mass ratio equal to 0.25 : 0.75
Ideal Waste/Polymer mass ratio equal to 1:1
Nature of the organic product (TBP)
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11. NOCHAR polymers: a solidification process for Cadarache LOR
Conclusion and Outlook
For Cadarache LOR waste, pre-treatment by polymer adapted
Polymers = suitable solidification matrix for a final acceptance in storage on ANDRA sites
To consolidate this conclusion, 3 future steps
Optimisation of the adapted formulations by tests
Realisation of a waste field study based on
the experimental data collected during this study,
the potential adequate between pre-treated Cadarache LOR waste streams characteristics and ANDRA specifications,
the ANDRA agreement principle on VLLW, LLW and ILW immobilised by polymers
Final product conditioned in homogenous waste package (waste immobilised by polymers placed in cement matrix)
Final product conditioned in heterogeneous waste at 10% for the waste immobilised by polymers and at 20% for the waste immobilised by polymers placed in cement matrix
Preparation of an ANDRA agreement file for Cadarache LOR waste streams pre-treated by NOCHAR polymers
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