Treatment of Tritiated Solvents

Studie Centrum voor Kernenergie•Centre d'Etude de l'Energie Nucleaire (SCK•CEN) plans to dispose of 178 liters of tritiated solvent at their facility using a novel processing technology to oxidize the solvent. Kinectrics Inc. will assist SCK•CEN by providing tritium-management consulting support and the equipment to oxidize the solvent and capture the product water. The solvent containers have been removed from their overpacks and stored in a ventilated metal cabinet in preparation for processing. Samples have been taken from each vessel to determine liquid activity and composition. A series of cold commissioning tests have been completed to assure authorities at SCK•CEN that safe handling and destruction of the solvents is possible and that emissions during processing can be maintained at negligible levels. A series of hot commissioning tests using feedstock samples have been completed. This paper outlines the process and handling infrastructure and summarizes results from the commissioning tests.