Removal and disposal of radioactive sludge from the fuel storage basin at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant

The fuel storage basin at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant recently underwent an intensive cleanup program. A major part of this program consisted of removing a five-to-ten cm layer of sludge from the basin floor and a lesser amount from the walls. The techniques used to vacuum this sludge into a large storage tank and then transfer if from the storage tank to portable concrete storage vaults where it was solidified are described. The equipment used is also described in detail. Approximately 48,150 liters of sludge was removed and solidified for disposal at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex