Johnston Atoll Plutonium Contaminated Soil Cleanup Project.
Abstract
TMA/Eberline is the prime contractor for the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Johnston Atoll Plutonium Contaminated Soil Cleanup Project. During this production period, the Scope of Work included movement of soil to and from the plant, processing contaminated soil through the Segmented Gate System (SGS) and Soil Washing System, packaging of waste soil for shipment, identification and implementation of process improvements, data collection and validation, and compliance with all applicable regulations governing environmental safety and health. The SGS utilizes arrays of sensitive radiation detectors coupled with sophisticated computer software to segregate contaminated soil from a moving feed supply on conveyor belts. Contaminated soil is diverted to a 'hot' path for plutonium particles greater than 5000 Becquerels or to a supplemental soil washing process designed to remove dispersed low level contamination from a soil faction consisting of very small particles. Low to intermediate levels of contamination are removed from the soil to meet DNA's criteria for unrestricted use of less than 500 Becquerels per kilogram of soil, with no 'hot' particles. The low level concentrate is expected to be packaged for shipment to an approved defense waste disposal site.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA318567
Entities
People
- Richard W. Doane
- Robert H. Grant