Relevance
The initiated program “Research Work on a Rationale for the Selection and Implementation of the Technology for Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment” (hereinafter referred to as the Program) is aimed at substantiating the selection and implementation of a technology for the treatment of liquid radioactive waste currently present within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the annual Addresses of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the people of Kazakhstan, a strategic objective has been formulated aimed at ensuring the protection of human life and health and implementing practical measures to improve the environmental situation. At the same time, the issue of providing various sectors of the economy with electric and thermal energy is becoming increasingly relevant, which implies the expansion of generating capacities. According to global experience, nuclear power is a reliable source of energy generation. The construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the near future and, accordingly, the development of mining, processing, and other industrial sectors will necessitate the treatment and safe storage of various types of waste, including radioactive waste (RW).
The Republic of Kazakhstan already has experience in operating four reactors of different types: the Impulse Graphite Reactor (IGR), the IVG1.M research reactor for testing elements of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, the water-water research reactor “Kazakhstanets” (WWR-K), and the BN-350 experimental-industrial fast neutron power reactor. Two of these reactors operate at the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK) (IGR and IVG1.M), one at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) (WWR-K), while the BN-350 reactor, which was shut down in 1999, is located at the site of the Mangistau Atomic Energy Complex (MAEC).
At present, the Mangistau Atomic Energy Complex (MAEC) faces an urgent issue related to the development of a technology for the immobilization of liquid radioactive waste (LRW). This applies both to temporary storage, through solidification of the waste in existing storage tanks, and to long-term storage. Both approaches require step-by-step development and justification of individual technological stages in order to bring the waste into an acceptable form that ensures safe management. These research areas have been supported by protocol instructions of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (No. PR-169 dated August 3, 2023, and No. PR-298 dated December 22, 2023), issued following meetings on the processing of LRW from the BN-350 reactor facility with representatives of subordinate organizations.
The research reactors have also been in operation for an extended period (47 years for IVG1.M, 55 years for WWR-K, and 62 years for IGR) and will be subject to decommissioning in the near future. This will necessitate the development of environmentally safe and economically efficient approaches for the management of various types of RW, including LRW.
The Program’s objective is to provide the rationale for the selection and implementation of a technology for the LRW treatment available within the territory of Kazakhstan.
Expected Results
Direct Results:
Research Direction 1. Evaluation of LRW amount generated in Kazakhstan, their classification by type:
Research Direction 2. Development of proposals for the selection of technology for treating LRW generated in Kazakhstan:
Research direction No. 3. Selection of LRW conditioning method generated in Kazakhstan:
Final Outcome:
Research Direction 1. Evaluation of LRW amount generated in Kazakhstan, their classification by type
A comprehensive dataset on the types, volumes, and physicochemical properties of liquid waste generated within the territory of the Republic.
Research Direction 2. Development of proposals for the selection of technology for treating LRW generated in Kazakhstan
Proposals for optimizing the liquid waste conditioning technology, taking into account their updated (current) properties.
Research direction No. 3. Selection of LRW conditioning method generated in Kazakhstan
Matrix compositions and recommendations for optimizing the LRW conditioning technology.
Expected Economic Impact:
Expected Environmental Impact:
Development of solutions aimed at minimizing the radiation exposure from LRW to humans and the environment, thereby reducing potential hazards.
Expected Social Impact:
As a result of the Program’s implementation, the following outcomes will be ensured:
Main Outcomes of the Research Work
During the implementation of the program “Research Work on a Rationale for the Selection and Implementation of the Technology for Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment” in 2024, the following significant results were achieved:
Task 01.01: Obtaining data on the types and volumes of generated and expected LRW subject to treatment
As a result of the research project, data on the types and quantities of LRW present in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan have been obtained. The forecast assessment of waste generation indicates that the increasing volumes of LRW are driven by the development of industry (mining and uranium processing enterprises) and scientific research facilities within the nuclear sector. The classification of LRW adopted in Kazakhstan allows for categorization based on radioactivity levels (low-, intermediate-, and high-level waste), chemical properties (organic and inorganic, by salt content), and physical properties (liquid, oil-containing, sludge). Such categorization enables a more effective approach to the storage and management of LRW. The implementation of modern LRW treatment technologies, combined with regular monitoring and updating of waste data, will facilitate well-founded forecasts and measures to minimize negative environmental impacts and enhance safety for the population.
Task 01.02: Development of a Methodology for Studying the Physicochemical Properties of LRW
A methodology and research program for studying the physicochemical properties of LRW have been developed. The safety standards and requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan for handling LRW have been defined, along with guidelines for safe work procedures with LRW. Due to the diverse physical and chemical properties of LRW, the developed methodology and program incorporate methods of quantitative chemical analysis for inorganic LRW, methods of analysis for organic LRW, Methods for analyzing oil-containing radioactive waste (OCRA).
The methodology is based on a combination of standard approaches for determining the chemical composition and properties of water and petroleum products, but these methods have been adapted to the specific conditions of LRW handling and the use of modern research techniques and equipment.
The developed program outlines specific stages for studying the physicochemical properties of LRW, which minimizes radiation exposure to personnel. In the future, this will enable the recommendation of appropriate handling methods for specific types of LRW, taking into account the requirements of the existing regulatory documents of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the safe management of LRW.
During the implementation of the program “Research Work on the Rationale for the Selection and Implementation of Technology for Liquid Radioactive Waste (LRW) Treatment” in 2025, the following significant results were achieved:
Task 01.03: Results of the Study of Physicochemical Properties of Waste
Sampling, transportation, and receipt of LRW samples were carried out from the facilities of MAEC LLP and UMP JSC. The collected samples were analyzed within the framework of the research project, resulting in updated data on their physicochemical properties, which are critical for the selection and substantiation of appropriate waste treatment and conditioning technologies. The studies demonstrated that LRW generated at various nuclear sector facilities exhibits considerable diversity in chemical composition, salt content, and physical properties, necessitating a differentiated approach to their treatment and management. The analysis confirms the appropriateness of classifying LRW based on radioactivity levels, chemical characteristics, and physical properties, enabling more effective solutions for their storage, processing, and subsequent management.
Task 02.01: Development of Proposals for the Composition and Properties of Matrices for LRW Conditioning, Considering Their Current Properties
The main requirements for the composition, structure, and physico-mechanical properties of matrix materials intended for the conditioning of LRW have been determined. Key matrix parameters have been established to ensure the conversion of LRW into a non-flowing state in compliance with applicable regulatory and technical standards. Based on an analysis of the characteristics of LRW and a review of existing treatment methods, a concept has been developed for converting LRW from the BN-350 reactor facility into a non-flowing form at MAEC LLP. The proposed concept takes into account the composition and properties of the waste, the conditions of its generation and storage, and the safety requirements for LRW handling processes. The conducted analysis and developed proposals confirm the feasibility of applying a differentiated approach in selecting treatment technologies and matrix materials, depending on the specific characteristics of the waste.
Task 02.02: Methodology for Obtaining Candidate Matrix Compositions and Testing Them for Compliance with Requirements
Methodological approaches for producing candidate matrices for the conditioning of LRW have been established. A testing program has been developed, aimed at selecting optimal component ratios for the matrices. The testing procedures, list of monitored parameters, and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed matrix compositions have been defined.
The developed programmatic and methodological documents provide a foundation for the experimental validation of the proposed matrix compositions, enabling reproducible results and the subsequent substantiation of technological solutions for the treatment of LRW.
Publications: