Mixed waste disposal at Argonne National Laboratory-East
Off-site disposal of mixed waste was severely curtailed at the beginning of FY 96. During FY 95 Argonne National Laboratory-East (ANL-E) conducted a comprehensive characterization and packaging project to remove mixed waste from the ANL-E inventory. The mixed wastes were primarily historic material which had been stored on-site since 1987. The waste consisted of solid debris, sludges, ignitable and corrosive liquids, and water-reactive metal. All of the waste was contaminated with varying degrees of radioactivity. The first step in the characterization process was to review available documentation on the waste. Because of the historic nature of the material, most records were incomplete. Using the records as a guide, the waste was divided into groups that could each be sampled according to the physical nature of the material. Worker safety was an important consideration during the sampling phase, therefore, several precautions were taken to prevent spills or cause unnecessary chemical reactions in the material. Characterization activities were either completed entirely by ANL-E technicians or with assistance from specialized contractors. Once characterization of the waste was complete it was packaged for shipment to other DOE facilities for storage and eventual treatment. Because most of the mixed waste treatment systems were not yet operational, waste was packaged to ensure integrity for a long period of time. Fifty-five cubic meters of mixed waste was characterized and packaged during FY 95. Most of this material was sent off-site. However, the remainder was stored in a configuration that will provide better health and safety protection than previously afforded.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 231395
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EMO/CP--89921; CONF-960648--6; ON: DE96010800
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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