Successful Experiments On Utilization Of High-Activity Nuclear Waste In The Process Of Transmutation In Growing Associations Of Microbiological Cultures

The problem of utilization of high-activity waste by effect of nuclear transmutation in growing associations of microbiological cultures was studied. For the first time we have observed utilization of several kinds of highly active isotopes in the volume of distilled water extracted from the first contour of water-water atomic reactor convert to non-radioactive nuclei. 1. The model and the foundation of the effect of transmutation of radioactive waste in biological systems In the work, the process of direct utilization of highly active waste and its transmutation into non-radioactive isotopes by microbiological systems has been studied for the first time. Beside generating heavier stable isotopes from light, medium and heavy stable isotopes on the basis of synthesis reactions [1], there is also the possibility of utilization of light, medium and heavy radioactive isotopes (for example, components of spent nuclear fuel or isotopes used in metrology) by the way of their transformation into stable isotopes of chemical elements. The microbe cultures produce elements essential to their own survival. The effect of transmutation of isotopes in bacterial cultures, stable in extremely high levels and doses of ionizing radiation, provides hope that solutions to the problem of radioactive waste solution may be found in the use of biological systems [1]. In contrast with classical chemical processes, growing microbiological systems can provide an extremely high selectiveness and completeness of extraction of various chemical elements (including isotopes) from different media. The phenomenon of low temperature transmutation can allow transformation radioactive isotopes, absorbed by a bacterial culture, into stable isotopes of other chemical elements. Naturally, for obvious reasons, we are not considering large or industrial-scale processing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and highly radioactive waste with microbiological systems yet, at this preliminary stage in the research, but in the long term such systems may be possible. In our opinion, the prospects of using bacterial cultures depend upon: 1. Fine purification of regenerated uranium on the final stages of its separation from products of decay to a level, allowing it to be used for refabrication of HPE's without using heavy chambers and remote controls. 2. Purification of gaseous exhausts of NPP's and other facilities, processing SNF, from isotopes of noble gases and products of their decay (mainly, iodine). 3. Purification of low radioactive waste to a level, providing a possibility of their burial, as non-radioactive waste, i.e. to the level of natural radioactive background (8–40 mkr/hr).