Nuclear technologies can play a key role in reducing the hazard class of waste and involving various types of waste in secondary circulation. Scientists from the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI have proposed to the scientific and technical council of the Russian Environmental Operator (REO) to use these technologies in the field of waste management.
Ionizing radiation is an alternative method that, along with traditional methods, may have significant potential for implementation in the field of waste management. Radiation exposure can be used for the disposal of medical waste, deworming and disinfection of sludge, disinfection of industrial and domestic wastewater, processing of agricultural waste, and disposal of polymer compounds.
Ionizing radiation (used in nuclear technologies) destroys pathogenic microorganisms. This makes organic waste safe for further processing, reducing its hazard class.
Nuclear technologies also modify crop and wood processing waste, making it suitable for use as feed for livestock.
The radiation method of disposal and processing of organic waste is based on the destruction of chemical bonds in organic compounds under the influence of gamma and electron irradiation, which leads to the formation of simpler compounds and changes in the physical and chemical properties of waste.
The Scientific and Technical Council of REO has been working since 2020. It was created to identify new technological solutions and conduct scientific research. The council serves as a center of competence for the substitution of foreign technologies and the scientific and technical development of the waste management industry.
Earlier www1.ru reported that BSTU scientists have developed a technology for deep processing of waste into fuel and industrial raw materials.
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