Processing of Solid Low Level Alpha Suspected Radioactive Waste

Abstract

Incineration of low active waste is the most efficient way to obtain high volume reduction factors. Although the initial scenario for processing low active alpha suspected waste (α-activity ≤ 400MBq/m3) in Belgium was supercompaction, incineration was eventually chosen for various benefits concerning volume reduction as well as the elimination of organic compounds improving the long term performance. This specific type of waste is often contaminated with for example mercury, requiring special attention in the treatment of both off-gas en waste water. In this paper it is shown that the CILVA incinerator of Belgoprocess N.V. has a high efficiency to combine both incineration and supercompaction of such types of waste.