Description
Contamination of areas with radioactive isotopes of low activity from research or industrial activity or even nuclear accidents is an environmental problem. The project has as main objective the research and development of an effective technology to eliminate the radiological elements of contaminated areas and materials when nuclear power plants and other radiological facilities are being decommissioned. The aim is to restore up to 90% of the contaminated area and to minimize the quantity of radioactive wastes to treat and/or to store. To achieve this, a process disintegrating soils into phases of different particle size by mechanical means and then “washing” them is proposed. The project includes validation of the technologies developed at the level of ‘proof of concept’ (lab-scale) and their integral and advanced development at semi-industrial scale, and the corresponding pilot plant. Potential beneficiaries are the 200 nuclear power plants in the world (150 in Europe) which are expected to close and be dismantled by 2030, as well as landfills with radioactive contamination.
Summary of project results
Contaminated areas with radioactive isotopes of low activity from research or industrial activity or even nuclear accidents, is an environmental problem. DESTER aims at the R&D of an effective technology to eliminate radiological elements of contaminated lands and materials obtained in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and other radiological facilities to restore the contaminated area and minimize the quantity of radioactive wastes to treat and store. A process disintegrating soils into different particle size phases by mechanical means and washing them has been developed. It includes validation at lab-scale and their integral and advanced development at semi-industrial scale (both achieved). Field validation in pilot plant was planned but had to be delayed due to bureaucratic issues. Impact will be on the 200 nuclear power plants worldwide (150 in Europe) which are expected to close and be dismantled by 2030 and landfills with radioactive contamination.
Summary of bilateral results