Abstract |
Many of the methods available for use in the treatment of industrial wastes may be utilized in the treatment of radioactive wastes; however, it must be remembered that, just as in sewage and industrial waste treatment, separation of the wastes into their liquid and solid fraction and discharge of the inocuous fraction does not solve the problem. The residue remains for disposal. All that can be accomplished is to concentrate the radioactive fraction into a smaller volume to permit disposal either as a sludge or slurry. The report discusses this. Where incineration is possible, providing precautions are taken to prevent contamination by volatile gases or fly ash, further concentration or reduction in volume may be obtained. Care must be given also to the removal of the resultant ash. The reduced volume of solid material then may be placed in suitable containers and buried in controlled areas or stored for decay or future recovery. |