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Title: Grand Junction projects office mixed-waste treatment program, VAC*TRAX mobile treatment unit process hazards analysis

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/419089· OSTI ID:419089

The objective of this report is to demonstrate that a thorough assessment of the risks associated with the operation of the Rust Geotech patented VAC*TRAX mobile treatment unit (MTU) has been performed and documented. The MTU was developed to treat mixed wastes at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Albuquerque Operations Office sites. The MTU uses an indirectly heated, batch vacuum dryer to thermally desorb organic compounds from mixed wastes. This process hazards analysis evaluated 102 potential hazards. The three significant hazards identified involved the inclusion of oxygen in a process that also included an ignition source and fuel. Changes to the design of the MTU were made concurrent with the hazard identification and analysis; all hazards with initial risk rankings of 1 or 2 were reduced to acceptable risk rankings of 3 or 4. The overall risk to any population group from operation of the MTU was determined to be very low; the MTU is classified as a Radiological Facility with low hazards.

Research Organization:
Rust Geotech, Inc., Grand Junction, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC13-94AL96907
OSTI ID:
419089
Report Number(s):
GJPO-MWTP-19; ON: DE97001816; TRN: 97:003009
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Apr 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English