Radwaste Characteristics in Uranium-Plutonium Nuclear Fuel Production

Radioactive wastes are formed during the production of uranium-plutonium nuclear fuel at enterprises. In the present article the concentration ranges for uranium, plutonium, and neptunium in liquid and cemented wastes corresponding to different radioactivity classes are determined. The concentration ranges are determined for wastes formed in the production of nitride fuel for the initial load, as well as for waste formed on use of recycled uranium, plutonium, and neptunium in production. The effect of 241Am accumulation on the classification of radwaste is determined. The estimated cost of transferring the wastes formed on fabrication of mixed nitride fuel to the national operator for disposal is presented. The technological methods of reducing the cost of waste disposal, including the possibility of forming class-3 wastes for which surface disposal is admissible, are presented. The maximum concentration of plutonium and americium in liquid wastes at which the solidified forms of wastes correspond to class-3 is determined.