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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

The Hanford Grout Treatment Facility: Environmental assurance in low-level waste disposal

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6979374
The Hanford Grout Disposal Program is developing the technology required to dispose of 170,000 m/sup 3/ of low-level radioactive waste. The waste contains significant quantities of hazardous chemicals, which dictates meeting applicable requirements of RCRA and WAC 173-303. A cementitious grout matrix has been selected to immobilize the hazardous chemical and radioactive constituents in the waste. Preliminary testing has shown that the hazardous and toxic nature of the waste is significantly mitigated through immobilization in grout. The disposal system design takes into account the features required to ensure compliance with RCRA, as well as projected compliance with the long-term environmental protection requirements outlines previously. The components being used to ensure long-term protection, principally the gravel hydraulic barrier/diffusion break and the protective barrier, were chosen based on comparison with natural analogues. Disposal of a low-level, nonhazardous waste will be initiated in June 1988. Disposal of the higher activity hazardous wastes is currently scheduled to begin in fiscal year 1990. 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Research Organization:
Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-87RL10930
OSTI ID:
6979374
Report Number(s):
WHC-SA-0211; CONF-880903-43; ON: DE89001162
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English