Thermochemical processing using powder metal fuels of radioactive and hazardous waste

Abstract: An overview of thermochemical treatment technologies (TTTs) for radioactive and toxic wastes is given. TTTs have been developed for pretreatment (e.g. decontamination), treatment and conditioning of specific wastes such as mixed, organic or chlorine-containing radioactive waste and contaminated soils. TTTs use powder metal fuels (PMFs) specifically formulated for the waste composition, which react with some of the waste components. Thermochemical processing can be carried out in a self-sustaining regime and enables ecologically safe processing of wastes without complex and expensive equipment. It leads to almost total confinement of contaminants in a mineral or glass composite end-product with minimal release of hazardous components and radionuclides in the off-gas