Nuclear Waste Solutions: A Key Aspect of Responsible Nuclear Power Usage

Our advice to those planning new nuclear facilities is that the management of radioactive waste should be put at the top of the agenda. A well-planned waste management strategy not only saves storage space, cost, and time but also demonstrates to the public that nuclear waste is being responsibly managed and significant efforts are being made to minimize its environmental impact. Studies show that a carefully prepared nuclear waste strategy is linked to a high level of public acceptance of nuclear power, which is essential for the development of new nuclear.

The development of waste management processes requires a broad understanding

As a responsible nuclear power operator, Fortum has continuously developed its own waste management processes. The goal is to produce electricity that generates as little waste as possible and where waste management is carried out safely, cost-effectively and in an environmentally friendly manner. We also sell our waste management expertise as expert services to nuclear plants around the world.

To develop optimal solutions for our customers in the treatment of radioactive nuclear waste, we must first understand the customer's starting point. This involves understanding the waste production processes at different nuclear facilities, the volumes of different waste types, the chemical and physical properties of the waste, and the criteria for the final waste packages. It is also essential to recognize that all nuclear facilities are different, which challenges us experts to form a complete picture in order to target the features needing optimization.

Although the changing processes in various facilities challenge the experts, it also keeps the work interesting for us. Sometimes, the work requires delving into the molecular-level interactions of radionuclides or understanding the technical details of pumps, tanks, and piping. Other times, the final disposal criteria need to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure the applicability of the waste for disposal and the dose rates of the waste packages calculated to secure the safety of the operators. This combination requires a team of experts and successful cooperation within the team, local experts, and authorities.

Own nuclear facilities have motivated groundbreaking innovations

Fortum has a unique position in radioactive waste management, as we not only own and operate nuclear reactors but also have a low and intermediate-level radioactive waste storage onsite. This provides Fortum with internal incentives to minimize the final disposable waste, saving space, costs, and benefiting the environment. It has also encouraged the continuous development of different waste treatment technologies and the innovation of new solutions.

One example of waste management methods developed by Fortum is the NURES® ion exchange technology, which has been used at the Loviisa nuclear power plant for the treatment of liquid waste since the early 1990s. These products are granular masses tailored to separate radionuclides from liquid waste, producing only a small amount of solid waste. As a result of the treatment, the amount of radioactive waste to be disposed of is significantly reduced, costs decreased, and the environmental burden of the waste is minimized.

Hence, NURES® represents the core of Fortum’s waste management strategy, as it fulfills treatment targets by providing significant cost savings and minimizing the environmental impact of radioactive waste management. The benefits of this technology have also been recognized by many others: there are about 100 external customers in a total of 27 countries. One of the highlights of the NURES®  technology has been its use in the purification of the contaminated liquids at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant area in Japan. The technology is constantly evolving and will continue to serve customers worldwide.