Preparation of radioactive ''mixed'' waste samples for measurement of RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) organic compounds. [Mixed waste containing alpha-, beta-, or gamma-emitting radionuclides]

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6478982

Tomkins, B A; Caton, J E

A radioactive ''mixed'' waste typically contains alpha-, beta-, or gamma-emitting radionuclides and varying quantities of semivolatile or volatile organic species, some or all of which may be named specifically by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Because there are no acceptable means available currently for disposing of these mixed wastes, they are presently stored above-ground in sealed drums. For this reason, analytical procedures which can determine RCRA organics in radioactive waste are necessary for deciding the proper approach for disposal. An important goal of this work is the development of methods for preparing mixed waste samples in a manner which allows the RCRA organics to be measured in conventional organic analysis laboratories without special precautions. Analytical procedures developed for handling mixed waste samples must satisfy not only the usual constraints present in any trace-level organic chemical determination, but also those needed to insure the protection of the operator from radioactive contamination. Consequently, procedures should be designed to use the least amount of radioactive sample commensurate with achieving acceptable sensitivity with the RCRA analytical methods. Furthermore, the unusual laboratory glassware which would normally be used should be replaced with disposable materials wherever possible, in order to reduce the ''clean-up'' time required, and thereby reduce the operator's exposure to radioactivity. Actual sample handling should be reduced to the absolute minimum. Finally, the final isolate must exhibit a sufficiently low level of alpha, beta, or gamma activity to permit detailed characterization in a conventional organic analysis laboratory. 4 refs., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6478982
• Report Number(s): CONF-870763-1; ON: DE87010906
• Resource Relation: Conference: 3. annual solid waste testing and quality assurance symposium, Washington, DC, USA, 14 Jul 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SAMPLE PREPARATION
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
MIXTURES
PESTICIDES
SLUDGES
DISPERSIONS
MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
WASTES
400101* - Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
400105 - Separation Procedures