Waste Classification Control cont'd

DOE-STD-1128-98

In many nuclear facilities, contamination of packaging materials is a

problem. For example, if a tool or material (e.g., a pump or some ion

exchange resin) is to be used in a contaminated area, as much of the

packaging material must be removed as possible before the material

enters the radiological area.

Another opportunity for waste minimization occurs when materials are

used as a contingency protection against contamination. For example,

strippable coatings may be applied to an area that is not expected to

become contaminated or may receive only minor contamination so that it

can be easily cleaned. Another example involves the disposition of

disposable surgeons' gloves, which are routinely worn inside glove-box

gloves. Unless there are serious contamination control problems in the

facility, these can be surveyed and disposed of as sanitary waste rather

than LLW or TRU waste.

If a piece of equipment is to have more than a single use in a

contaminated environment, every possible measure should be taken to

ensure its continued reliability rather than relying on frequent

replacements. Tools should be of the highest quality and maximum

flexibility consistent with the situation. For example, if a wrench is

needed to maintain a piece of equipment in a glove-box, consideration

should be given to future needs and storage provisions. A socket set with

interchangeable sockets may ultimately create less waste than a box-end

wrench of each size that is needed.

Likewise, all tools and equipment to be placed in a contaminated

environment should be tested for reliability and preferably used on a

clean mock-up to ensure their serviceability before they become

contaminated. There is often a temptation to put the equipment into the

plutonium service when it first arrives rather than test it completely first.

This can result in unnecessary waste volume.

8.3.2.2

Waste Classification Control

Many operational controls involve measures to ensure that the waste

generated is TRU waste rather than mixed-TRU waste, or that if it is

mixed-TRU, it is of a composition that can be treated. Tight controls in

the following areas are necessary to minimize mixed waste (and

hazardous waste) problems: procurement of hazardous chemicals, actions

of subcontractors and vendors, and training of workers. In some cases,

decontamination processes have been used that result in mixed waste,

such as Freon cleaning, electropolishing, and chemical decontamination.

These should be used only after due consideration of the waste

management consequences. In some cases, these mixed wastes can be

readily treated; in other cases, their use needs to be avoided. Some new

techniques are designed specifically for waste minimization and waste

classification control. For example, one method involves abrasive

blasting with solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), which sublimes after use and

can be exhausted through a HEPA filter, leaving no added material to the

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