Waste minimization and pollution prevention at a plutonium processing facility

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Waste Management; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0956-053X(94)90033-7· OSTI ID:7053545

Pillay, K K.S. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States). Nuclear Materials Technology Div.

If nuclear facilities are to achieve public acceptance, they must develop strong programs in waste minimization, pollution prevention, and environmentally sound recycling. These programs are specially essential for defense production facilities that process large quantities of special nuclear materials. The plutonium processing facility at Los Alamos has initiated a focused research and development program with a strategic goal of becoming a facility that processes plutonium with little or no impact on the environment. Technologies that show promise in waste minimization and pollution prevention are identified. Waste stream polishing to remove final traces of plutonium and hazardous chemical constituents is accomplished through (a) process modifications, (b) use of alternative chemicals and sorbents for residue removal, (c) acid recycling, and (d) judicious use of a variety of waste polishing technologies. Developing and adapting new technologies to transform an existing facility into an environmentally benign nuclear material processing facility is a worthwhile endeavor for the future of all nuclear programs.

• OSTI ID: 7053545
• Journal Information: Waste Management; (United States), Journal Name: Waste Management; (United States) Vol. 14:7; ISSN WAMAE2; ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052000* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Management
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ACTINIDES
ELEMENTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MINIMIZATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PLUTONIUM
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES