Multi-method characterization of low-level radioactive waste at two Sandia National Laboratories environmental restoration sites
This paper discusses the application of multiple characterization methods to radioactive wastes generated by the Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico (SNL/NM) Environmental Restoration (ER) Project during the excavation of buried materials at the Classified Waste Landfill (CWLF) and the Radioactive Waste Landfill (RWL). These waste streams include nuclear weapon components and other refuse that are surface contaminated or contain sealed radioactive sources with unknown radioactivity content. Characterization of radioactive constituents in RWL and CWLF waste has been problematic, due primarily to the lack of documented characterization data prior to burial. A second difficulty derives from the limited information that ER project personnel have about weapons component design and testing that was conducted in the early days of the Cold War. To reduce the uncertainties and achieve the best possible waste characterization, the ER Project has applied both project-specific and industry-standard characterization methods that, in combination, serve to define the types and quantities of radionuclide constituents in the waste. The resulting characterization data have been used to develop waste profiles for meeting disposal site waste acceptance criteria.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 750208
- Report Number(s):
- SAND99-3093C; TRN: US0001556
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste Management 2000, Tucson, AZ (US), 02/27/2000--03/02/2000; Other Information: PBD: 6 Dec 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
REMEDIAL ACTION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
CERTIFICATION