Monte Carlo simulations of radioactive waste embedded into EPDM and effect of lead filler

• EPDM candidate polymeric material to be used in the radioactive waste management.
• Activity of the radioactive waste to be embedded into the EPDM matrix was simulated.
• Effect of lead filler to the polymer matrix was determined.
• Simulations shown that lead filler decrease dose delivered and surface dose rate.

Radioactive waste is generated from the nuclear industry and should be processed and disposed of according to the regulations set by the appropriate regulatory authority. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a widely used polymer and might be considered as a potential candidate radioactive waste encapsulation material. In this study, the dose rate distribution in the radioactive waste drum (containing radioactive waste and the polymer matrix) was determined using Monte Carlo simulations. The change in the dose rate within the waste drum with different amounts of lead filler was also simulated. It was seen that lead filler would decrease the dose delivered to the polymer by means of energy dissipation. Moreover, the change of mechanical properties of EPDM was estimated and their variation within the waste drum was determined for the duration of 15, 30 and 300 years after embedding.