Design Considerations cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

Measurement and analysis capability should be provided to determine the

volume and radioactivity of wastes fed to collection tank(s). Provisions

should be made for analyzing liquids prior to transfer. Each transfer line

should be identified individually. Instrumentation and control systems

should be used to provide monitoring and control capabilities associated

with confinement, nuclear criticality safety, and/or radiation protection.

Individual lines should be used for each waste stream fed to central

collection tanks, where necessary, to prevent chemical reactions or

introduction of contaminants such as complexing agents that could

interfere with waste decontamination. The use of traps in radioactive

liquid waste lines should be avoided, and piping should be designed to

minimize entrapment and build-up of solids in the system. Bypasses that

would allow waste streams to be routed around collection tanks should be

avoided. The radioactive liquid waste treatment system should contain

no bypasses or drains through which waste may inadvertently be

released directly to the environment.

Basic liquid waste treatment concepts include volume reduction,

immobilization of radioactive material, change of composition, and

removal of radioactive material from waste. The waste treatment

concept(s) for a particular application should be selected on a case-by-

case basis. To the extent practical, features should be included to allow

volume reduction and/or waste solidification (immobilization) to forms

required for long-term isolation.

Provisions should be made to adjust liquid waste characteristics prior to

treatment to minimize adverse chemical reactions in the treatment

system.

Recirculating closed-loop cooling systems should be used for facilities

and equipment associated with the storage or treatment of high-heat,

high-level radioactive liquid waste.

I-75