Handling and treatment of low-level radioactive wastes from United States gaseous diffusion plants

The US gaseous diffusion plants currently generate very small quantities of low-level radioactive wastes. These wastes consist primarily of airborne effluent solid trapping media and liquid scrubber solutions; liquid effluent treatment sludges; waste oils and solvents; scrap metals; and conventional combustible wastes such as floor sweepings, cleaning rags, and shoe covers. In addition to waste emanating from current operations, large quantities of scrap metal generated during the Cascade Improvement Program are stored above ground at each of the diffusion plants. The radionuclides of primary concern are uranium and technetium-99. Current radioactive waste treatment consists of uranium dissolution in weak acids followed by chemical precipitation and/or solvent extraction for uranium recovery. Current disposal operations consist of above-ground storage of scrap metals, shallow land burial of inorganic solids, and incineration of combustible wastes. With increased emphasis on reducing the potential for off-site radiological dose, several new treatment and disposal options are being studied and new projects are being planned. One project of particular interest involves the installation of a high-temperature incinerator to thermally degrade hazardous organic wastes contaminated with low-level radioactive wastes. Other technologies being studied include fixation of uranium-bearing sludges in concrete prior to burial, decontamination of scrap metals by smelting, and the use of specially engineered centralized burial grounds