In-situ dewatering techniques for uranium mill tailings

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5840624

Wardwell, R E; Nelson, J D; Abt, S R; Staub, W P

The state-of-the-art regarding methods for the in-place dewatering of uranium mill tailings is described. Since large amounts of water in tailing impoundments can cause long-term seepage problems, drainage of the tailings both during operations and during the reclamation stage is highly desirable. Dewatering of tailings also provides for settlement prior to the placement of the cover and increases the pile's stability for earth-moving equipment during site reclamation and cover placement. The application of various drainage techniques is discussed with regard to their effectiveness in minimizing the amount of water remaining in an impoundment during long-term reclamation. Drainage techniques that are reviewed include underdrain gravity-flow systems, single wells and well-points, electro-osmosis, vertical drains, and evapotranspiration. It has been shown that the underdrain gravity systems provide an effective and reliable means of dewatering tailings. If feasible, they will probably prove to be the best option for the in situ dewatering of tailings because of their practicality and relatively low cost. The other methods would be recommended only as backup systems or in existing impoundments that do not have underdrain systems.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5840624
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-3203; ORNL/TM-8689; ON: DE84000480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
COST
DESIGN
MANAGEMENT
MILL TAILINGS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
REMOVAL
SOLID WASTES
STABILIZATION
TAILINGS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER REMOVAL