Low-level radioactive waste from nuclear power generating stations: Characterization, classification and assessment of activated metals and waste streams
Since the enactment of 10 CFR Part 61, additional difficult-to-measure long-lived radionuclides, not specified in Tables 1 2 of Part 61, have been identified (e.g., {sup 108m}Ag, {sup 93}Mo, {sup 36}Cl, {sup 10}Be, {sup 113m}Cd, {sup 121m}Sn, {sup 126}Sn, {sup 93m}Nb) that may be of concern in certain types of waste. These nuclides are primarily associated with activated metal and perhaps other nuclear power low-level waste (LLW) being sent to disposal facilities. The concentration of a radionuclide in waste materials is normally determined by direct measurement or by indirect calculational methods, such as using a scaling factor to relate inferred concentration of a difficult-to-measure radionuclide to another that is easily measured. The total disposal site inventory of certain difficult-to-measure radionuclides (e.g., {sup 14}C, {sup 129}I, and {sup 99}Tc) often control the total quantities of radioactive waste permitted in LLW burial facilities. Overly conservative scaling factors based on lower limits of detection (LLD), often used in the nuclear power industry to estimate these controlling nuclides, could lead to premature closure of a disposal facility. Samples of LLW (Class B and C activated metals [AM] and other waste streams) are being collected from operating nuclear power stations and analyzed for radionuclides covered in 10 CFR Part 61 and the additional difficult-to-measure radionuclides. This analysis will enhance the NRC`s understanding of the distribution and projected quantities of radionuclides within AM and LLW streams from commercial nuclear power stations. This research will also provide radiological characterization of AM specimens for others to use in leach-rate and lysimeter experiments to determine nuclide releases and subsequent movement in natural soil environments.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10140973
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-21394; CONF-930205-38; ON: DE93009339
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management `93,Tucson, AZ (United States),28 Feb - 4 Mar 1993; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
METALS
WASTE FORMS
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MOLYBDENUM 93
CHLORINE 36
BERYLLIUM 10
CADMIUM 113
TIN 121
NIOBIUM 93
LEACHING
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WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE