Solid waste accumulated from the nulcear plant operations and the decommissioning of blocks 1 to 3 is conditioned in the waste treatment centre. The waste is processed in three steps:
Firstly, the solid radioactive waste temporarily stored in the bunkers on the grounds of the Chernobyl nuclear plant is removed for treatment. In second step, waste from the bunkers as well as the solid radioactive waste amassed in the course of decommissioning blocks 1-3 is processed into a form appropriate for permanent safe disposal and storage. The following treatment technologies are utilized for low level and intermediate level waste: separation into combustible / compactable / non-compactable waste, incineration, high-force compaction, and cementation. Additionally, high radioactive and long-lived solid waste is sorted out for temporary separate storage on the premises of Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In third step, the conditioned solid waste materials are moved to containers suitable for permanent safe storage.
The treatment of waste represents a major contribution to improving the environmental situation in Chernobyl. The project also benefits the local economy: a main portion of the work, including the approval and construction planning, supply of various components, and also construction and installation jobs, has been contracted out to Ukrainian companies.
NUKEM has already handed over an engineered near surface disposal facility to Technocenter at the end of 2007. At this facility, short-lived radioactive waste accumulated in Chernobyl nuclear power plant is stored after prior conditioning. The repository is situated 17 kilometers away from the power plant at the VEKTOR complex within the 30-km zone. The storage area is designed to hold 55,000 m3 of treated waste. The waste stockpile in the facility will be subject to radiological monitoring for 300 years.
