Compaction and packaging of low level and TRU waste contaminated HEPA filters

The paper reports on a compactor designed and constructed for volume reduction of highly efficient particulate air (HEPA) filters. Rocky Flats, one of the largest users of HEPA filters in the Department of Energy complex, consumes about 3000 (No. 5) filters annually. Two-thirds of the discarded filters are disposed of as transuranic (TRU) waste and the remainder as low level having a total requirement of 124 waste boxes with a total volume of about 14,000 ft/sup 3/. By compacting the filter media and incinerating all burnables, the number of boxes is reduced to 15 with a total volume of about 2000 ft/sup 3/, resulting in an annual volume savings of 12,000 ft/sup 3/ and a cost savings of approximately $2,500,000