- University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Plasmatechnik und Grundgebiete der Elektrotechnik, Fakultät für Elektrische Energiesysteme und Informationstechnik, Germany (nikola.ganchev@unibw.de)
The increasing volume of High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLRW) presents significant challenges for storage and disposal, both in terms of cost and environmental safety. A large proportion of the waste consists of low or non-radioactive elements, while most of the radioactivity originates from a small fraction of fission products. For high-level liquid waste, bulk elements account for 98.9% of the mass but only 0.1% of the radioactivity. Similarly, spent fuel (SF) contains over 95% transuranium elements, with fission products contributing 4–5%. Efficient separation of waste into mass groups could dramatically reduce storage requirements and optimize the nuclear fuel cycle.
This study investigates a novel modular Plasma Mass Separation System (PMSS) designed to manage HLRW by leveraging atmospheric pressure Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) technology. The system utilizes the principles of a Band Gap Ion Mass Filter (BGIMF), where an axial magnetic field and radial electric field enable ion separation based on mass. Unlike traditional high-vacuum plasma separation, the atmospheric pressure approach enhances scalability and operational feasibility.
One of the core components, the Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch (ICPT), has additional applications beyond mass separation. For instance, it can be used in the thermal plasma treatment of low-radioactivity waste, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE), which constitute approximately 80% of the total radioactive waste volume from nuclear power plants. These materials, while contributing minimally to radioactivity, are non-biodegradable and pose significant storage challenges. Thermal plasma treatment using ICPT can achieve a mass reduction of 40% and a volume reduction of up to 99%, offering a practical solution to reduce waste storage needs and enhance manageability.
The proposed PMSS offers a sustainable and versatile solution to radioactive waste management, addressing the dual objectives of reducing storage volume and advancing nuclear fuel cycle efficiency. This work represents a significant step toward cost-effective, environmentally responsible HLRW processing.
How to cite: Ganchev, N. and Kreins, M.: Modular Plasma Mass Separation System for Sustainable High-Level Radioactive Waste Management, Third interdisciplinary research symposium on the safety of nuclear disposal practices, Berlin, Germany, 17–19 Sep 2025, safeND2025-171, https://doi.org/10.5194/safend2025-171, 2025.
