Decomposition of Radioactive Organic Wastes with Supercritical Water Medium Containing RuO₂

Abstract

This work studied the decomposition of radioactive organic wastes such as fire resistant sheeting and rubber gloves, and other widely used organic materials in nuclear power plants or other nuclear facilities. It was found that these organic materials could be decomposed into gaseous products in supercritical water mixed with RuO2, at 450°C and 43 MPa, without adding any oxidizing reagent. When this method was applied to the decomposition of rubber gloves and anion exchange resin, only a small amount of oil-like product was obtained.