Information Notice 1988-08, Chemical Reactions with Radioactive Waste Solification Agents

Chemical Reactions with Radioactive Waste Solification Agents

ML031150570
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	03/14/1988
From:	Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
FOIA/PA-2009-0209 IN-88-008, NUDOCS 8803080148
Download: ML031150570 (8)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 March 14, 1988 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 88-08: CHEMICAL REACTIONS WITH RADIOACTIVE

WASTE SOLIDIFICATION AGENTS

Addressees

All NRC licensees generating or processing low level radioactive waste.

Purpose

This information notice is being provided to alert addressees to potential

problems resulting from unexpected adverse chemical reaction between con- taminants in radioactive wastes and certain solidification agents. It is

expected that recipients.will review the information for applicability to

their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar

problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice do

not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written

response is required.-

Discussion:

On May 13 and 20, 1987, radioactive waste personnel at Tennessee Valley Authority's

(TVA's or licensee's) Sequoyah Nuclear Plant began processing their laundry waste

water and hot shower drain tank waste water through the condensate demineralizer

waste evaporator before sampling for discharge. This procedure was new and being

performed to reduce the radioactivity in the liquid waste effluents and to meet

the criterion of "as low as is reasonably achievable" outlined in 10 CFR Part 50

Appendix I, which addresses-the control of radioactive materials in gaseous and

liquid effluents. Previously, only batches found to be in excess of discharge

limits were processed before being released.

The condensate demineralizer evaporator bottoms were placed in a radioactive

waste liner and were then solidified on site by Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc.

(CNSI) following a process control program (PCP) formulated by CNSI. As the

waste was being mixed with CNSI's proprietary defoaming agent (N-24) and so- lidification agent (P-20), the mixture experienced an exothermic reaction in

which the temperature of the waste exceeded 240'F. This temperature was above

the boiling point of the mixture and it began to expand, overflowing the liner

through the fill head and inspection plate and over the side of the container.

This overflow then hardened and had to be chipped away. The maximum dose rate

of the overflow was 3 rem per hour.

The licensee and Chem-Nuclear conducted studies to determine the cause of the

problem. Through followup testing, CNSI identified that a detergent in the

IN 88-08 March 14, 1988 waste reacted violently with the CNSI solidification

as the temperature of the mixture reached 218 0F. agent, undergoing a reaction

No

waste stream, including other detergents, was found other material within the

to have any reaction with

the solidification agent. The specific detergent, an

detergent sold as DECON 4324-NP under the brand name industrial liquid laundry

laundering the licensee's protective clothing. The Turco, had been used in

dling the liquid waste from the laundry increased change in the method of han- the volume and concentration

of the detergent in the evaporator bottoms. The

detergent and has experienced no similar problems. licensee has stopped using the

to identify which chemicals in the detergent cause TVA plans additional studies

this reaction.

Licensees are reminded of the importance that waste

cordance with the approved PCP developed for the be processed strictly in ac- specific

to be solidified. Some mixtures of waste contaminants waste stream substances

may react adversely with one another. These reactions and solidification agents

during the specimen tests performed before the actual may not be noticeable

therefore, it is important to be alert to variances solidification occurs;

specified by PCPs, such as increasing temperature in solidification parameters

amount of solidification agent required to fill the of the mixture and reduced

liner or other container.

Additional considerations appropriate for solidifying

ion-exchange resins are discussed in NUREG/CR-4601, evaporator bottoms and

Affecting Preparation of Ion-Exchange Resins for "Technical Considerations

by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Disposal," issued in May 1986 Safeguards. Nuclear Material Safety and

No specific action or written response is required

If you have any questions about this matter, please by this information notice.

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator contact the technical

of the appropriate regional

office.

h/aies E. Rossl 1Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Roy Weddington, RI!

(404) 331-2604 Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1153 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment -

IN 88-08.:.  ; I: :

March 14, 1988 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

-NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

88-07 Inadvertent Transfer of 3/7/88 All NRC broad licensees

Licensed Material to and licensees authorized

Uncontrolled Locations to possess byproduct

material as sealed

sources in teletherapy

units or "self-contained"

irradiators.

88-06 Foreign Objects in Steam 2/29/88 All holders of OLs

Generators or CPs for PWRs.

88-05 Fire in Annunciator Control 2/11/88 All holders of OLs

Cabinets or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

88-04 Inadequate Qualification 2/5/88 All holders of OLs

and Documentation of Fire or CPs for nuclear

Barrier Penetration Seals power reactors.

88-03 Cracks in Shroud Support 2/2/88 All holders of OLs

Access Hole Cover Welds or CPs for BWRs.

88-02 Lost or Stolen Gauges 2/2/88 All NRC licensees

authorized to possess

gauges under a

specific or general

license.

88-01 Safety InJection Pipe 1/27/88 All holders of OLs

Failure or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

86-81, Broken External Closure 1/11/88 All holders of OLs

Supp. 1 Springs on Atwood & Morrill or CPs for nuclear

Main Steam Isolation Valves power reactors.

87-67 Lessons Learned from 12/31/87 All holders of OLs

Regional Inspections of or CPs for nuclear

Licensee Actions in Response power reactors.

to IE Bulletin 80-11 OL

0 Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 88-08 March 14, 1988 waste reacted violently with the CNSI solidification agent, undergoing a reaction

as the temperature of the mixture reached 2180 F. No other material within the

waste stream, including other detergents, was found to have any reaction with

the solidification agent. The specific detergent, an industrial liquid laundry

detergent sold as DECON 4324-NP under the brand name Turco, had been used in

laundering the licensee's protective clothing. The change in the method of han- dling the liquid waste from the laundry increased the volume and concentration

of the detergent in the evaporator bottoms. The licensee has stopped using the

detergent and has' experienced no similar problems. TVA plans additional studies

to identify which chemicals in the detergent cause this reaction.

Licensees are reminded of the importance that waste be processed strictly in ac- cordance with the approved PCP developed for the specific waste stream substances

to be solidified. Some mixtures of waste contaminants and solidification agents

may react adversely with one another. These reactions may not be noticeable

during the specimen tests performed before the actual solidification occurs;

therefore, it is important to be alert to variances in solidification parameters

specified by PCPs, such as increasing temperature of the mixture and reduced

amount of solidification agent required to fill the liner or other container.

Additional considerations appropriate for solidifying evaporator bottoms and

ion-exchange resins are discussed in NUREG/CR-4601, "Technical Considerations

Affecting Preparation of Ion-Exchange Resins for Disposal," issued in May 1986 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Nuclear Material Safety and

Safeguards.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Roy Weddington, RII

(404) 331-2604 Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1153 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• Transmitted by memorandum dated October 18, 1987 to C. E. Rossi from

J. N. Grace

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

a n t C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR

4I CHBerlinger

03/'g/88 03/7/88

• OGCB:DOEA:NRR *RII *RII *AC/TEB:DLLWMD:NMSS *PPMB:ARM

JGuillen CMHosey RWeddington JJSurmeier TechEd

01/22/88 01/15/88 01/15/88 03/04/88 12/16/87

IN 88-XX

March xx, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Roy Weddington, RII

(404) 331-2604 Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1153 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• Transmitted by memorandum dated October 18, 1987 to C. E. Rossi from

J. N. Grace

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

D/DOEA:NRR C/OGA 'EA:NRR

CERossi CHBerlinger

03/ /88 03/ 7 /88

• OGCB:DOEA:NRR *RI I *RI I *AC/TEB: DLLWMD:NMSS *PPMB:ARM

JGuillen CMHosey RWeddington JJSurmeier TechEd

01/22/88 01/15/88 01/15/88 03/04/88 12/16/87

IN 88-XX

March xx, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Roy Weddington, RII

(404) 331-2604 Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-8933 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• Transmitted by memorandum dated October 18, 1987 to C. E. Rossi from

J. N. Grace

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

D/DOEA:NRR C/OGCB: DOEA:NRR

CERossi CHBerlinger

03/ /88 03/ /88

• OGCB:DOEA:NRR *RII *RII AC/TEB:DLLWMD:NMSS *PPMB:ARM

JGuillen CMHosey RWeddington JJSufrme TechEd

01/22/88 01/15/88 01/15/88 12/16/87

IN 88-XX

January xx, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Roy Weddington, RII

(404) 331-2604 Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-8933 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• Transmitted by memorandum dated October 18, 1987 to C. E. Rossi from J. N.

Grace

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

D/DOEA:NRR C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR

CERossi CHBerlinger

01/ /88 01/ /88 OGCB: E:RR RI h

RII AC/TEB:DLLWMD:NMSS *PPMB:ARM

JGuill'n CMHosey RWeddington JJSurmeier TechEd

01flZq88 01/15/88 011/%t88 01/ /88 12/16/87

IN 87-XX

December xx, 1987 Page 2 of

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-8933 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

-

• Transmitted by memorandum dated October 18, 1987 to C. E.

Grace Rossi from 3. R.

2 D/DOEA:NRR

CERossi

12/ /87 OGCB:DOEA:NRR RI AC/TEB:DLLWMD:NMSS PP2/iARM C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR

JGuillen CMHosey JJSurmeier Te Md CHBerlinger

12/ /87 12/ /87 12/ /87 12//g /87 12/ /87