Volume reduction options for the management of low-level radioactive wastes

Conference · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7296686

Clark, D. E.; Lerch, R. E.

This paper examines volume reduction options that are now or soon will be available for low-level wastes. These wastes generally are in the form of combustible solids, noncombustible solids, and wet wastes (solid/liquid). Initially, the wastes are collected and stored onsite. Preconditioning may be required, e.g., sorting, shredding, and classifying the solids into combustible and noncombustible fractions. The volume of combustible solids can be reduced by compaction, incineration/pyrolysis, acid digestion, or molten salt combustion. Options for reducing the volume of noncombustible solids include compaction, size reduction and decontamination, meltdown-casting, dissolution and electropolishing. Burnable wet wastes (e.g., organic wastes) can be evaporated or combusted; nonburnable wet wastes can be treated by various evaporative or nonevaporative processes. All radioactive waste processing operations result in some equipment contamination and the production of additional radioactively contaminated wastes (secondary wastes). 23 figures.

• Research Organization: Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-14-2170
• OSTI ID: 7296686
• Report Number(s): HEDL-SA-1235; TRN: 77-018739
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
REVIEWS
COMBUSTION
COMPACTING
DISSOLUTION
EVAPORATION
FUEL CYCLE
LIQUIDS
SOLIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
OXIDATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing