Speaker
Description
The study spotlights radioactive wastes management in Syria based on the National legislation Decree No. 64 and the Prime Minister Decree No. 134. Historical and new wastes at the user premises were collected and temporary stored at the central radioactive waste management facility, where they were processed to meet the International Safety Standards.
Scales originated from decontamination of equipment used in production of oil & gas contain mainly 226Ra and 210Pb with activity concentrations up to 3000 and 1800 Bq g-1, respectively, in addition to chemical impurities. A treatment strategy was consolidated to safely isolate and contain scales based on incineration, compacting with 25 tonnes and cementation. Processing gave weight loss ca. 30% preserved confinement of radionuclides content and chemical hazards and ensured stabilization. The final packages comply with the safety requirements of radioactive waste for transportation and long-term storage. Historical wastes were segregated, characterised and safely treated case-by-case basis. Aqueous and organic effluents contained 137Cs and 90Sr were processed using selective ion exchangers, such as KU 2×8 & KB-4P2, according to the safety case and radiation protection programme. The effluents were then discharged into the environment when radiological impact and chemical hazard of the released materials are acceptable.
The work enables to draw a sustainable strategy for safe and secure management of radioactive waste, which implies protecting people, society and the environment against ionizing radiation and avoid imposing undue obligations and burdens on future generations.
