Alpha-Contaminated Solid Waste Sorting and Conditionining at Belgoprocess (Belgium): Lessons Learned From the First Three Years Operation

The alpha-contaminated solid waste generated in Belgium results from past activities in the fuel cycle (R&D + Reprocessing and MOX fabrication pilot plants) and operation of BELGONUCLEAIRE’s MOX fuel fabrication plant. After the main steps in the management of alpha-contaminated solid waste were established, BELGONUCLEAIRE, with the support of BELGOPROCESS and ONDRAF/NIRAS, started the design and construction of the T & C and interim-storage facilities for this alpha waste. The accumulated solid alpha radwaste containing a mixture of combustible and non-combustible material must be sorted and characterized. After sorting, both the accumulated and recently-generated alpha waste will be compacted and the pellets will be embedded in a cement matrix in a 400-1 drum. The commissioning of the sorting unit which includes glove boxes was completed at BP, at the beginning of year 2005; the sorting campaign of 30-1 cans has been achieved in March 2007. The paper describes the project environment and gives a short description of the used facilities; the lessons learned from the sorting campaign and from the first T/C period, will be presented, as well.