Oxidation of powdex resin in supercritical water

Low-level radioactive (LLR) spent resins are difficult to process cement-solidification using existing technologies. These spent resins with basic engineering design characteristics of high ash, moisture, and sulfur contents have made the incineration treatments more complicated. We have identified the supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology as a potential method having a number of advantages that would be beneficial in the treatment of LLR spent resins. Experiments were carried out to provide information concerning the feasibility of using SCWO technology as a LLR waste treatment process, and determined if further development of the SCWO technology would be warranted. Process research and development in the present work was directed that little nuclides from the gaseous emission of the SCWO process and a maximal possible including of radioactive species in ashes which would be solidified for final disposal. Nuclides such as Co can be effectively recovered as CoSO₄ in the SCWO of the Powdex resin. Consequently, gaseous sulfur emissions (SO₂) are highly reduced.