Active preparation for stage 3 of hot testing is carried out at the Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM). This stage envisages management of heterogeneous batches of radioactive waste (RAW).
One of the important tasks under preparation is characterization, i.e. determination of radionuclide composition, of solid RAW coming for processing.
To perform activities relating to characterization, the eastern and western “low-level” compartments of Solid RAW Storage Facility were unsealed.
Acceptance of radioactive waste to these compartments had been performing since 1978 till 1988. Volume of RAW in them is over thousand of cubic meters (of low-level waste).
The eastern compartment stored only radioactive waste generated during normal operation of ChNPP Units. This compartment was completed and preserved till 1986 accident. For thirty years of preservation, the natural radioactive decay of short-lived radionuclides led to significant decrease of activity in stored waste.
The western compartment had been filling basically with post-accident waste. Accumulated in this compartment waste may contain transuranium elements and have wide heterogeneity of radiological parameters comparing with eastern compartment waste.
Composition of solid RAW in both compartments is almost similar. It includes different solid materials, namely, thermal insulation, plastic compounds, special clothes, ion-exchanging resin, filters, domestic garbage, paper, wood, electrical wires, electrical motors, pipelines, reinforcement bars, metal chips, etc.
From eastern compartment, 123 samples were taken. Currently, laboratory surveys of the samples are being carried out to determine radionuclide composition and specific radionuclide activities. This activity is labour-consuming and complicated. At the moment, it is done for more than 70%.
Simultaneously, preparatory activity for sampling from western compartment is being performed. At the moment, a concrete blinding coat with which compartment was grouted during preservation is destroyed and fragmented.
These operations are performed using remotely-controlled mechanisms designed for operation inside caisson located above the compartments of solid waste storage facility and being a barrier on the way of hazard substance spreading into environment.
All activities are performed in accordance with approved programs and procedures. During work performance, there were no changes in radiation situation.
For information
Works related to ICSRM commissioning are performed in three stages.
Stage 1 includes activities on testing of all systems and equipment of process radiation monitoring using reference sources and specially prepared radioactive materials.
Stage 2 covers activities performed one-by-one relating to sequential management of incoming to SRPP homogeneous batches of RAW in “disclosed” form with known radiological and physical characteristics.
Also, it is envisaged to extend second stage of hot testing for management of high-level waste (HLW), characterization and transfer to temporary storage facility for HLW, low- and intermediate-level long-lived waste.
Stage 3 contains activities relating to management of heterogeneous RAW batches retrieved from solid waste storage facilities, with unknown radiological and physical characteristics.
