A method for conditioning of spent ion exchange resins from nuclear facilities comprises the steps of: mixing the spent ion exchange resins with water to form a reaction mixture; setting and controlling the pH of the reaction mixture in a range from 1.0 to 3.5, preferably in a range from 2.0 to 3.0; adding an oxidant to the reaction mixture, with the temperature of the reaction mixture maintained at 90 ° ° C. or less so that the spent ion exchange resin and the oxidant react with each other to form an aqueous reaction solution comprising the organic reaction products of the spent ion exchange resin; and electrochemically oxidizing the organic reaction products, wherein carbon dioxide is produced and a carbon-depleted aqueous reaction solution having a TOC (total organic carbon) value of less than 50 ppm is obtained. Furthermore, an apparatus for the conditioning of spent ion exchange resins from nuclear facilities is described.

A system and method for drying cavities containing spent nuclear fuel is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with spent nuclear fuel comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

A system and method for drying cavities containing spent nuclear fuel is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with spent nuclear fuel comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

A nuclear dismantling system for dismantling equipment contaminated with radioactive contamination, including a dismantling apparatus to be operated remotely while in a nuclear facility and a control system communicatively coupled to the dismantling apparatus to control the dismantling apparatus remotely.

The invention relates to a method for aerobic and anaerobic cultivation of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a method for producing a preparation for cleaning radioactive liquids and radioactively charged surfaces. Likewise, the invention further relates to a method for cleaning radioactive liquids and radioactively charged surfaces.

The invention relates to a method for aerobic and anaerobic cultivation of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a method for producing a preparation for cleaning radioactive liquids and radioactively charged surfaces. Likewise, the invention further relates to a method for cleaning radioactive liquids and radioactively charged surfaces.

A method for the anaerobic cultivation of microorganisms includes providing an aqueous solution having a pH value of 4.5 to 7.5 in a container, adding a substrate in a first substrate dosage to the aqueous solution, adding further elements to the aqueous solution, adding an inoculant with microorganisms to the aqueous solution, hermetically sealing the container, varying a temperature of the initial product or the intermediate products in a range from 40 to 80 degrees Celsius, taking a sample and determining a first concentration of organic substance in the sample, taking another sample and determining another concentration of organic substance in the further sample after the expiration of the first waiting time, if the concentration of organic substance is smaller than 10 percent of the first concentration of organic substance, adding substrate in another substrate dosage, repeating the above until a sufficient amount of biomass is present in the container.

A method for the anaerobic cultivation of microorganisms includes providing an aqueous solution having a pH value of 4.5 to 7.5 in a container, adding a substrate in a first substrate dosage to the aqueous solution, adding further elements to the aqueous solution, adding an inoculant with microorganisms to the aqueous solution, hermetically sealing the container, varying a temperature of the initial product or the intermediate products in a range from 40 to 80 degrees Celsius, taking a sample and determining a first concentration of organic substance in the sample, taking another sample and determining another concentration of organic substance in the further sample after the expiration of the first waiting time, if the concentration of organic substance is smaller than 10 percent of the first concentration of organic substance, adding substrate in another substrate dosage, repeating the above until a sufficient amount of biomass is present in the container.

Methods for storing or disposing of nuclear waste include forming a drillhole that extends into the Earth from a terranean surface. The drillhole includes an entry at least proximate the terranean surface, a substantially vertical drillhole portion, and a hazardous material storage drillhole portion that is coupled to the substantially vertical drillhole portion and is formed in a subterranean salt formation. The methods further include moving a storage canister into the hazardous material storage drillhole portion. The storage canister is sized to fit from the drillhole entry through the substantially vertical drillhole portion, and into the hazardous material storage drillhole portion of the drillhole. The storage canister has an inner cavity that encloses nuclear waste material. The methods further include positioning a seal in the drillhole to isolate the hazardous material storage drillhole portion of the drillhole from the entry of the drillhole.

Methods for storing or disposing of nuclear waste include forming a drillhole that extends into the Earth from a terranean surface. The drillhole includes an entry at least proximate the terranean surface, a substantially vertical drillhole portion, and a hazardous material storage drillhole portion that is coupled to the substantially vertical drillhole portion and is formed in a subterranean salt formation. The methods further include moving a storage canister into the hazardous material storage drillhole portion. The storage canister is sized to fit from the drillhole entry through the substantially vertical drillhole portion, and into the hazardous material storage drillhole portion of the drillhole. The storage canister has an inner cavity that encloses nuclear waste material. The methods further include positioning a seal in the drillhole to isolate the hazardous material storage drillhole portion of the drillhole from the entry of the drillhole.