Estimated inventory of chemicals added to underground waste tanks, 1944--1975. [Analysis of sludges and salt cakes]
The five major chemical processes, the Bismuth Phosphate process, the Uranium Recovery process, the Redox process, the Purex process, and the Waste Fractionization process have each contributed to give the total Hanford waste chemicals. Each of these processes is studied to determine the total estimated chemicals stored in underground waste tanks. The chemical contents are derived mainly from flowsheet compositions and recorded waste volumes sent to underground storage. The major components and amounts of Hanford waste are sodium hydroxide, 230 million gram-moles (20 million pounds), sodium nitrate, 1400 million gram-moles (270 million pounds), sodium nitrite, 220 million gram-moles (34 million pounds), sodium aluminate, 400 million gram-moles (72 million pounds), and sodium phosphate, 87 million gram-moles (31 million pounds). Chemical analyses of the sludge and salt cake samples are tabulated to determine the chemical characteristics of the solids. A relative chemical toxicity of the Hanford underground waste tank chemicals is developed from maximum permissible chemical concentrations in air and water. The most toxic chemicals are assumed to be sodium phosphate--35%, sodium aluminate--28%, and chromium hydroxide--19%. If air standards set toxicity limits, the most toxic chemicals are bismuth--41%, chromium hydroxide--23%, and fluoride--10%.
- Research Organization:
- Atlantic Richfield Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-2130
- OSTI ID:
- 7287732
- Report Number(s):
- ARH-CD-610B; TRN: 77-018744
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chemical species of plutonium in Hanford radioactive tank waste
Development of Alkaline Oxidative Dissolution Methods for Chromium (III) Compounds Present in Hanford Site Tank Sludges
Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
TANKS
SOLID WASTES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SAMPLING
TOXICITY
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
CONTAINERS
MANAGEMENT
STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage