Nuclear Waste Treatment
We harness plasma to clean, recover, and renew
PlasmaNano’s pulsed and inductive plasma systems redefine how we process contaminated, hazardous, and radioactive materials. From municipal waste to nuclear decommissioning, our proprietary plasma-based technologies provide a fast, clean, and scalable approach to waste treatment and resource recovery.
Case Study: PlasmaNano × KAERI
Reimagining Nuclear Decommissioning
To address the mounting challenge of legacy reactor decommissioning, PlasmaNano partnered with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to develop an integrated radioactive-waste plasma treatment system for aged nuclear power plants.
Phase 1: Concept and Pilot Unit
PlasmaNano supplied a prototype test reactor currently in use at KAERI. The pilot validates a three-step process: grinding concrete and soil to < 100 µm, plasma surface removal of contaminated layers, and mass-filter separation of heavy isotopes. The initial trials confirmed effective actinide isolation and significant reduction in residual radioactivity.
Phase 2: System Integration
The joint R&D program focuses on coupling PlasmaNano’s pulsed-RF plasma pretreatment with KAERI’s fuel-cycle expertise to design a fluidized-bed reactor optimized for continuous operation. Simulations guide coil geometry, gas-particle mixing, and collection efficiency, ensuring scalability to industrial waste volumes.
To address the mounting challenge of legacy reactor decommissioning, PlasmaNano partnered with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to develop an integrated radioactive-waste plasma treatment system for aged nuclear power plants.
Phase 1: Concept and Pilot Unit
PlasmaNano supplied a prototype test reactor currently in use at KAERI. The pilot validates a three-step process: grinding concrete and soil to < 100 µm, plasma surface removal of contaminated layers, and mass-filter separation of heavy isotopes. The initial trials confirmed effective actinide isolation and significant reduction in residual radioactivity.
Phase 2: System Integration
The joint R&D program focuses on coupling PlasmaNano’s pulsed-RF plasma pretreatment with KAERI’s fuel-cycle expertise to design a fluidized-bed reactor optimized for continuous operation. Simulations guide coil geometry, gas-particle mixing, and collection efficiency, ensuring scalability to industrial waste volumes.
Policy and Market Context
Although progress slowed following Korea’s earlier plan to retire reactors, national energy policy has shifted toward life-extension and modernization—driven by high oil prices and global pressure to decarbonize. This pivot revives demand for advanced nuclear-waste treatment that can both remediate and recover resources.
Outlook
The KAERI collaboration exemplifies PlasmaNano’s mission: applying proprietary plasma science to some of humanity’s hardest environmental problems. As nuclear power re-emerges as a clean-energy backbone, our plasma technologies stand ready to close the fuel-cycle loop, reduce storage burdens, and unlock a safer, circular future for nuclear materials.
Connect with Us Today
For additional information about us, our nuclear waste treatment, or our other systems, feel free to reach out to us. We will gladly answer your questions about our company and our solutions.
Coming Soon
