Characterization, Treatment and Conditioning of Radioactive Graphite from Decommissioning of Nuclear Reactors

Book excerpt: Graphite has been used as a moderator and reflector of neutrons in more than 100nuclear power plants and in many research and plutonium-production reactors. It is usedprimarily as a neutron reflector or neutron moderator, although graphite is also used for other features of reactor cores, such as fuel sleeves. Many of the graphite-moderated reactors are now quite old, with some already shutdown. Therefore radioactive graphite dismantling and the management of radioactive graphite waste are becoming an increasingly important issue for a number of IAEA Member States. This report provides a comprehensive discussion of radioactive graphite waste characterization, handling, conditioning and disposal throughout the operating and decommissioning life cycle.