Fortum's expert knowledge in Waste Solidification
We at Fortum provide solutions for the whole waste lifecycle of an NPP, based on what we also apply ourselves. In our Loviisa NPP, the plant's liquid waste is solidified into cement and packed into concrete waste containers. The solidification is designed to process low- and intermediate-level liquid waste generated during the operation and decommissioning of the two-unit Loviisa plant. This waste primarily consists of ion exchange resins used in the purification of process water as well as sludge from the bottom of the evaporator concentrate tanks and evaporator concentrates. The waste is then taken to the low and intermediate level waste (LILW) repository below the plant site alongside all of the other LILW waste created during the operation and, in the future, decommissioning of the plant.
See more details below on Fortum’s waste related concepts, as well as the services we offer related to solidification, interim storage and different types of repositories (underground and near surface). Contact our experts for further discussion on how we could best assist you handling the waste at your site.
LOCKIT® Solidification
What we do at our own solidification plant in Loviisa
- The solidification plant is an independent unit and designed to handle all of the liquid waste generated during NPP operation and decommissioning. It also handles the liquid waste originating from interim storage of spent fuel.
- The solidification matrix is based on cement and blast furnace slags
- The processes are operated from a control room
- Main waste streams are ion exchange resins and sludge
- Waste and binders are dosed and mixed directly in the final disposal package
What makes the LOCKIT® cement matrix special
- The cement matrix, developed by Fortum, is more than twice as efficient as the traditional matrix
- Waste content of the solidified product is 40%-60%
- The cost is practically the same as in traditional cementation
- The recipe development started in 1980s and it is continuously further developed to optimise the performance of the matrix for new waste fractions
- Over 50% waste content without diluting the matrix quality
- The tests of exposing the matrix to underground water have shown that the matrix has not weakened since 2012
- The solidification matrix is suitable for all types of LILW
