Characterization of the low-level radioactive wastes and waste packages of General Electric Vallecitos Nuclear Center. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6361310

Kempf, C R; MacKenzie, D R; Bowerman, B S; Dougherty, D R; Siskind, B

An evaluation of the low-level wastes and waste packages generated by General Electric Vallecitos Nuclear Center (GEVNC) was made on the basis of 10 CFR Part 61 criteria and on the Technical Position on Waste Form (TP). In addition, a review has been performed of the handling and storage methods used by GEVNC for their transuranic wastes. Several options have been discussed for management of these materials. This evaluation was the result of a study initiated by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), in which GEVNC participated. GEVNC generates radioactive wastes in hot cell processes which include examination of reactor fuel and components, and production of sources and radiopharmaceuticals. These wastes are usually Class B or greater. Class A wastes result from support activities which include maintenance of the hot cells. The dominant contaminating radioisotopes are Cs-137 and Co-60. In addition, transuranic wastes result from examination and burnup analyses of fuel. The latter wastes are all currently stored on-site at GEVNC. The low activity Class A, Cs-137 and Co-60 dominated wastes are generally packaged in 55-gallon drums and wooden boxes, while those of higher activity (Class B and greater) are packaged in 84-gallon extended 17H drums that are grouted with cement. The Class A packages meet the requirements in 10 CFR Part 61. The Class B and greater grouted drum packages have been evaluated with respect to meeting the stability requirements in 10 CFR Part 61 and with respect to the guidance in the TP. Based on the evaluation, overall, the waste forms of these packages are expected to maintain their stability, but a few concerns are identified and testing should be performed by GEVNC to demonstrate waste form stability. 57 references, 16 tables.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6361310
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-3864; BNL-NUREG-51791; ON: TI85003512
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
CLASSIFICATION
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
GROUTING
HOT CELLS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PACKAGING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPES
STORAGE
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES