Solidification of Spent Ion Exchange Resin Using ASC Cement

Ion exchange resins (IERs) have been widely used in nuclear facilities. However, the spent radioactive IERs result in major quantities of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes. This article describes a laboratory experimental study on solidification processing of IERs using a new type of cement named ASC cement. The strength of the cementation matrix is in the range of 1820 MPa (28 d); the loading of the spent IER in the cement-resin matrix is over 45% and leaching rates of 137Cs, 90Sr and 60Co are 7.92×10 -5, 5.7×10 -6, and 1.19×10 -8 cm/d. The results show that ASC cement can be a preferable cementation material for immobilization of radioactive spent IER.