Physicochemical and biological monitoring of deep repositories for liquid radioactive wastes

The objective of this work was to study the physicochemical conditions and the microbiological composition of underground water in the second level of the Severnyi site at the Mining and Chemical Works and to clarify the possibility of biogenic gas production by formation microflora from macrocomponents of the wastes (nitrates and sulfate ions). Chemical analysis of samples of formation liquid from wells located in the dispersion zone of the wastes showed an increase in the content of dissolved carbonic acid, sodium nitrate, and nitrates of radionuclides and an increase of their concentrations in the sampling part. In all other samples, the contents of the main cations and anions were close to the background values. Microbiological investigations showed an increase in the number of microorganisms capable of forming gases from possible macrocomponents of the wastes and in the rate of sulfate reduction and methane generation processes within the propagation boundary of the wastes. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 103, No. 2, pp. 106–112, August, 2007.     

Gas release from deeply buried liquid radioactive wastes

The results of a generalization and analysis of data accumulated over a period of 40 years on the actual gas release from injected wells in test areas for underground disposal of liquid wastes with various levels of activity from the Siberian Integrated Chemical Plant and the Zheleznogorskii Integrated Mining and Chemical Plant are presented. It is concluded that in order to extend the operation of the test areas beyond the prescribed time limits the presence of a gas phase in the reservoir formations, formed over the period during which they were actively used, must be taken into account carefully. The investigations should be extended to the problem of gas release and priority must be given to determining the contribution of the different components of this process and investigating their mechanisms and to developing a mathematical model of gas release and a computer program to predict the development in order to ensure safe operation of the areas used to test underground disposal. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 100, No. 1, pp. 45–50, January, 2005.     

Development of a unified technological process for cementing liquid radioactive wastes

The possibility of cementing liquid wastes with different compositions by a unified method is examined. Methods of cementing are studied in order to determine the similarity of the parameters for preparing the cement solution under the conditions of reliable (accident free) execution of the technological process. The possibility of using a unified composition for the cement mixture and the type of equipment that permits the maximum incorporation of different wastes in the final product meeting the regulations is determined.     

长距离地下管道放射性示踪检漏仪

本文介绍我们研制的放射性长距离地下管道检漏仪的工作原理及电路结构、仪器特点、检漏方法和几个主要参数的确定。 仪器的检漏灵敏度可达185kBq(5μCi),定位准确度每km在2.5m之内,适用于口径为15或20cm(6英寸或8英寸)的地下轻油(汽油、煤油和柴油)管道及工业用水管道的检漏。一次检测管道长度可达50km。     

Extraction of radioactive wastes and liquidation of old repositories at the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute

The salient features of the organization and execution of the work performed to remove radioactive wastes from and rehabilitate ten old repositories located on a special site of the Institute, which were distinguished by their design and the form and composition of the wastes contained in them, are described. The old repositories were located close to a housing development, so that special attention was devoted to the choice of technologies and technical means used for the rehabilitation. The technical approach and the sequence of operations are presented, and the technology and technical means are described. The problems of providing the proper technological equipment for this work are analyzed. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 103, No. 2, pp. 129–133 August, 2007.