Downblending Contaminated Radioactive Wastes
نویسندگان
چکیده
Dilution is the mixing of radioactive waste with non-radioactive material, whereas downblending is the mixing of high-level radioactive waste with low-level radioactive waste. These processes have been applied predominantly at nuclear sites as part of the decontamination procedures for the disposal of blended wastes in licensed facilities. Proper health and safety assessments should be carried out as part of the processes and procedures of diluting or downblending radioactive waste before disposal to ensure minimal risks to the general public and environment. Hydraulic fracturing for the exploration of oil and natural gas can bring NORM materials to the surface, and the processing of these wastes can further enhance the radiological concentration of these Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). Current regulations and industry practices are investigating the feasibility of incorporating dilution or downblending as a means of waste predisposal processing and management of hydraulic fracturing produced TENORM wastes.
منابع مشابه
Measurement of Genotoxic Endpoints in Earthworms Exposed to Radioactive Wastes from an Abandoned Uranium Mine
The main objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of genotoxic endpoints, to be considered in earthworm’s reproduction assays, performed under the evaluation of soils contaminated with radioactive wastes. Earthworms were exposed, under laboratorial conditions, to a contaminated soil from the Cunha Baixa uranium mine and to LUFA 2.2 soil (control soil). Earthworms (Eisenia andrei Bo...
متن کاملTechnologies for in situ immobilization and isolation of radioactive wastes at disposal and contaminated sites
متن کامل
Radioactive Waste Assay for Reclassification
Following the ban on deep sea disposal of radioactive wastes in 1983 the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in the United Kingdom (UK) has stored plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) contaminated wastes on site in 200 l steel drums or as wrapped packages containing filters or other materials. This was because of difficulty in demonstrating compliance with the with the 100 Bq/g Pu alpha activity limit...
متن کاملAdvances in encapsulation technologies for the management of mercury-contaminated hazardous wastes.
Although industrial and commercial uses of mercury have been curtailed in recent times, there is a demonstrated need for the development of reliable hazardous waste management techniques because of historic operations that have led to significant contamination and ongoing hazardous waste generation. This study was performed to evaluate whether the U.S. EPA could propose treatment and disposal a...
متن کاملBiotransformation of uranium and other actinides in radioactive wastes
Microorganisms affect the solubility, bioavailability, and mobility of actinides in radioactive wastes. Under appropriate conditions, actinides are solubilized or stabilized by the direct enzymatic or indirect nonenzymatic actions of microorganisms. Biotransformation of various forms of uranium (ionic, inorganic, and organic complexes) by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms has been extensivel...
متن کامل