Thermoplastic encapsulation treatability study for a mixed waste incinerator off-gas scrubbing solution

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:549391

Kalb, P D; Adams, J W ^[1]; Meyer, M L; Burns, H H ^[2]

---

1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
2. Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)

A bench-scale study was conducted to evaluate thermoplastic encapsulation as a treatment for an aqueous blowdown mixed waste to be generated at the Consolidated Incineration Facility (CIF) at the Savannah River Site. Non-radioactive CIF blowdown surrogate, dried in a stirred vacuum dryer, was stabilized at relatively high waste loadings (45--62 wt%) using modified sulfur cement, bitumen, and low-density polyethylene. All samples tested exceeded 3.45 MPa (500 psi) in compressive strength, and water immersion for 90 days did not produce any adverse impacts on waste form integrity. In each case, ignition temperature was well above the process temperature, and the materials self extinguished when cooled below the self ignition temperature. Leachability of toxic metals from simulated waste encapsulated in polyethylene was about 4 times lower than modified sulfur cement or bitumen test samples. Polyethylene waste forms containing up to 35 wt% pretreated waste easily passed EPA land disposal regulation limits.

• OSTI ID: 549391
• Report Number(s): CONF-931119--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ASHES
ENCAPSULATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INCINERATORS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MATERIALS TESTING
MIXTURES
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
STABILIZATION