Incineration - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

8.4.3.9 Incineration

Incineration is an ideal waste-management technique for combustible

solvents and other liquids that do not yield toxic or hazardous combustion

products. The volume reduction from feed material to ash is usually

outstanding. Incinerators are usually equipped with wet scrubbers,

demisters, and filters to ensure that the effluent released to the environment

is acceptable and ALARA. These features create secondary waste that must

be dealt with, but the disposal efficiency usually makes them well

worthwhile.

8.4.4

Sampling and Monitoring

Sampling and monitoring of liquid waste streams are usually straightforward. Bulk

liquid in tanks must often be mixed, usually with a recirculating pump, before dip

sampling to ensure a representative sample. Liquid effluent streams are often

sampled with a flow-proportional sampler. For on-line monitoring, a small ion

exchange column is used to concentrate ionic contaminants, and a detector is

placed on the column for gamma analysis.

8.4.5

Storage and Disposal

Sanitary liquids and those meeting disposal criteria may be released to the

environment or to sanitary waste treatment systems (sewerage systems). Hazardous

liquid waste may be shipped, with excess absorbent material in compliance with 40

CFR, to a licensed treatment facility. Small quantities of radioactive-contaminated

liquids, such as samples, may be shipped in a similar way, but most liquid waste

must be solidified prior to shipment or disposal. It is preferable to store only solid

waste, as well. The recommendations of Table 8.3 are applicable to the storage of

plutonium-containing liquids as well as solids. In particular, where long-term

storage of plutonium solutions may occur, even within glove boxes, it is advisable

to avoid plastic containers unless one can be certain that the alpha radiation will not

have degraded the container.

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