Abstract
The government has started the construction of thermal treatment facilities in the Interim Storage Facility (ISF). The purpose is not only for incinerating or direct-melting off-site radioactively contaminated wastes such as decontamination waste (DW) from around ISF, but also for ash-melting of DW incineration residues discharged within the Special Decontamination Area in Fukushima. In this article, we introduce the current status of the incineration and melting processes of DW in terms of radiocesium behavior, and further examine the differences between DW and MSW (municipal solid waste) thermal treatments. In addition, we introduce the current status of the ash-melting process based on recent research reports. We then present future themes surrounding certain technologies required for establishing stable waste treatment by the construction facilities. Finally, the possibility of an advanced volume reduction method for highly-contaminated residue after the ash-melting process is briefly discussed.
