Patent Number: 046718982
Section: summary

TECHNICAL AREA The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a spent, radioactive, organic ion exchange resin to reduce the volume thereof and to obtain a stable final product. In the context ion exchange resin primarily means a cationic exchange resin but also an anionic exchange resin and an exchange resin of the mixed bed type, containing cation exchanger as well as anion exchanger, can be advantageously treated in accordance with the invention. The invention primarily relates to the treatment of such ion exchange resins which have been utilized to purify cooling water in a nuclear reactor, and the water in a pool for the storage of spent nuclear fuel. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND It is previously known to solidify a spent ion exchange resin in cement or bitumen. However, by such a measure the volume is heavily increased. Furthermore, in the case of solidification in cement, the stability against leaching is not very good. In the case of solidification in bitumen the fire hazards thereof is a problem. Moreover, it is previously known, for instance from Swedish patent specification No. 8101801-2, that the volume of a spent ion exchange resin can be reduced by an incineration thereof. According to said Swedish patent specification the incineration residue is then heated to sintering or melting, a stable product being obtained thereby. The measure of cementing the incineration residue has been considered improper due to the bad stability against leaching which has been observed when solidifying a non-incinerated ion exchange resin in cement.