Abstract
This paper discusses measurement methods for radioactive substances in the flue gas of incinerators that handle general wastes, such as municipal solid waste and sewage sludge, which were contaminated from radioactive substances released in the nuclear meltdowns and explosions at Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant. Two approaches were taken : a measurement method for metals and dioxins in municipal solid waste incinerators, etc. (JIS K 0083 and JIS K 0311) and a measurement method based on the Guide for Measurements of Released Radioactive Materials From Light Water Nuclear Power Reactor Facilities (JIS Z 4601 and JIS Z 4336). This paper compares three methods, including the aforementioned two approaches, along with a sampling method based on dust particle size at a municipal solid waste incinerator. In all methods, the radioactive cesium levels in the flue gas at stack were below the detection limit. The former measurement method has been accepted as a guideline for measuring radioactive concentration, etc. and is considered to be reasonable as a practical method for understanding the behavior of radioactive cesium in incinerators of waste that has been lightly contaminated with radioactive cesium. As for incineration off-site wastes that are heavily contaminated with radioactive cesium, different monitoring and flue gas treatment systems will be considered.
