A Feasibility Study for the Laboratory Reduction of Low Level Radioactive Wastes

Abstract

Results of the literature search and analysis show it is technically feasible to ash (20:1-50:1), evaporate (100:1), and completely passivate (convert metallic uranium oxide) low level radioactive wastes (LLRW) contaminated with depleted uranium or tritium using a customized conventional type muffle furnace. The slow-burn ashing, evaporation, passivation, shearing, compacting approach is a low cost, safe, reliable, volume reduction procedure for handling the expected volume of LLRW generated at ARDEC. Ashing passivation of rubber, plastics, leathers, and ion exchange resins was not recommended because of the toxic products of combustion with these materials. Volume reduction (5:1) of these low level radioactive nonashable materials and filters requires specially engineered compactors. Keywords: Radioactive waste; Dry burning; Metallic uranium analysis, Low level radioactive wastes, Depleted uranium, Slow burn maximum ashing, Complete passivation, Complete oxidation, Radioactive waste compaction, Pyrophoricity.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA194772

Entities

People

  • Joseph A. Fabiano
  • Theodore J. Koppenaal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Flow
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Classification
  • Combustion
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Health
  • Ion Exchange
  • Ion Exchange Resins
  • Literature Surveys
  • Materials
  • Plastics
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Radioactive Pollutants
  • Radioactive Wastes
  • Resins

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.