Method for the Handling and Minisation of Waste

摘要

The invention provides a method for the determination of the uranium content of nuclear waste materials, the method comprising establishing the physical parameters of the waste materials. Preferably, the nuclear waste materials comprise compacted solid nuclear waste materials and the establishment of the physical parameters of the waste materials comprises the measurement of the dimensions and the weight of the waste materials. The method also provides for the determination of the levels of ²³⁹Pu other actinides and fission product radionuclides in the nuclear waste materials, these levels being derived from a knowledge of the uranium content and the irradiation history of the waste materials. The method of the invention is commonly referred to as the Differential Density Technique and provides a simple, robust, cheap and reliable technique for the determination of the fissile content of nuclear waste materials, which offers the possibility of reduced waste handling and minimised waste volumes, thereby leading to significant environmental, as well as economic benefits.