Conditioning of spent ion-exchange resins followed by solidification in the alkali-slag long-lived matrix with an increased level of filling with resins

The possibility for spent ion-exchange resins (IER) of intermediate specific activity to be solidified in alkali-slag (geocement) water-resistant matrixes with an increased level of filling with resins was studied. Comparative tests of the IER immobilization process were done for justifying the most technologically effective matrix material. We used three different alkali-slag cementing systems and the prepared simulated pulps of IER with the specific activity of 3×108 Bq/L, saturated with 137Cs radionuclide. The manufactured samples of the alkali-slag compounds, filled with IER at the level of 24-27% by weight, meet the regulatory requirements set in NP-019-15 code and feature better working quality parameters (mechanical strength: 5-14 MPa, leaching rate of 137Cs, Na, Ca: