Patent Number: 046363351
Section: claims

1. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin formed in a nuclear power plant comprising the steps of: (a) heating the spent ion exchange resin to thermally decompose the ion exchange groups of said ion exchange resin at low temperatures of not more than 350.degree. C. to form exhaust gas containing decomposition products of said ion exchange groups and a residue containing the polymer matrix of said ion exchange resin; and then  (b) heating the residue to thermally decompose the polymer matrix of said ion exchange resin at high temperatures above 350.degree. C. to form exhaust gas containing decomposition products of said polymer matrix and a residue containing radioactive components. 2. A method of processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas formed from the thermal decomposition of the ion exchange groups of said ion exchange resin are separated from said residue and are treated in an alkali scrubber. 3. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein said thermal decomposition at high temperatures is carried out in the presence of an oxidizing agent. 4. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 3, wherein said thermal decomposition at low temperatures is carried out in the presence of a scavenger for sulfur compounds. 5. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 4, wherein said scavenger comprises a transition metal oxide, a calcium compound or a mixture thereof. 6. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 4, wherein said thermal decomposition at high temperatures is carried out in the presence of a vitrifying material which can adsorb volatile radioactive substances. 7. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 6, wherein said vitrifying material comprises glass frit consisting mainly of silica. 8. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein said thermal decomposition at high temperatures consists in burning the ion exchange resin using a gas containing combustible gas. 9. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein said thermal decomposition at low temperatures is carried out in the presence of a scavenger for sulfur compounds. 10. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 9, wherein said scavenger comprises a transition metal oxide, a calcium compound or a mixture thereof. 11. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 8, wherein said thermal decomposition at low temperatures is carried out in the presence of a scavenger for sulfur compounds. 12. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 11, wherein said scavenger comprises a transition metal oxide, a calcium compound or a mixture thereof. 13. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 3, wherein said thermal decomposition at high temperatures is carried out in the presence of a vitrifying material which can adsorb volatile radioactive substances. 14. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 13, wherein said vitrifying material comprises glass frit consisting mainly of silica. 15. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein said thermal decomposition at high temperatures is carried out in the presence of a vitrifying material which can adsorb volatile radioactive substances. 16. A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin according to claim 15, wherein said vitrifying material comprises glass frit consisting mainly of silica.