ML20058F478
| ML20058F478 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001113 |
| Issue date: | 07/20/1982 |
| From: | Bidinger G NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20058F477 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8207300518 | |
| Download: ML20058F478 (3) | |
Text
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. Docket Fila 1113 PDR NMSS rf FCUP rf JUL 2 01982 GHBidinger LTyson WTCrow RGPage RECunningham JBlaylock Docket tio.:
70-1113 BBrooks RErickson JRobertson Licensee:
General Electric Company Wilmington, ii.C.
Facility Region II
Subject:
SAFETY EVALUATI0ti FOR JULY 8,1982, AMENDMEt1T APPLICATI0ft RE DISPOSAL OF ZIRC0tlIUM SLUDGE
Background
One of the process steps during the production of nuclear fuel at the Wilmington facility involves the chemical etching of zirconium and other components. The waste etch solution is then treated with lime to neutralize the acid to precipitate impurities. The precipitate has been collected in a lagoon along with other wastes from the fuel manufacturing process.
The subject amendment application requests authorization to dispose of the zirconium sludge containing small quantities of low-enriched uranium at a hazardous waste disposal site.
Description of Zirconium Sludge The quantity of sludge on hand is 800,000 gallons containing 45 grams of U-235 as U(1.28).
S_1_udge Composition Solids 30%
3 Density 9.7 lbs./ gallon (1.16 g/cm )
pH 11.7 Ca(OH)iumCompounds 2-10%
Zircon 2-8%
CaF 10-20%
Ca(Il0)j 4-10" 3
Water 70-80%
Uranium 0.24 ppm 8207300518 820720 PDR ADOCK 07001113 C
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, JUL 2 0199g Disposal Site The proposed disposal site is the SCA Services, Inc. facility in Pinewood, S.C.
SCA operates the Pinewood facility as a hazardcus waste burial facility under interim RCRA Pemit SCD 070375985 and South Carolina Permit IUP-145.
The applicant indicates that both SCA and the State are willing to accept the material at Pinewood.
Disposal Treatment The applicant has proposed three different methods, or combinations thereof, for treating the sludge:
1.
Removal of the wet sludge fnxn the site in trucks.
Fuller's earth would be mixed with the sludge by SCA prior to burial, 2.
Removal of freestanding liquid prior to transport, and 3.
Addition of fuller's earth to the sludge at Wilmington to absorb free-standing liquid.
The probable method will be a combination of Items 2 and 3, whereby the sludge will be dewatered to 50-60% solids and a drying agent will be added prior to shipment. According to the applicant, SCA, in accordance with approved procedures and permit conditions, reduces the free liquids and buries the resulting solids as hazardous wastes in a fuller's earth clay mine with an underlying impermeable synthetic liner.
Environmental Safety The zirconium sludge contains approximately 0.8 pC1 uranium per gram of dry solids.
This is less than the 30 pCi/ gram limit which is in the Branch Technical Position, published in the Federal Register on October 23, 1981. Because the Branch Technical Position is applicable to dry material, it is appropriate that GE establish controls over the freestanding liquid such that freestanding liquids are absorbed (at Wilmington or Pinewood) prior to disposal within the SCA site and that the radioactive material concentraticn in the absorbent does not exceed 30 pCi/ gram of dry absorbent. Accordingly the following license condition is proposed:
The licensee shall establish controls to ensure that all freestanding liquids are absorted prior to the disposal of the uranium-bearing zirconium sludge at the SCA Services, Inc., facility in Pinewood, South Carolina.
Sufficient absorbent shall be used so that the radioactive material 4
concentration does not exceed 30 pCi/ gram of dry absorbent.
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Conclusion and Recommendation Subject to the aboYe license condition, the staff finds that disposal of the uranium-bearing zirconium sludge will have no adverse effects on the public health and safety or on the environment. Approval of the application is reconcended.
Original signed by Gno m 't. P,e m,-.
G. H. Bidinger Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety, HMSS Original Signed By:
- I* CN Approved by:
W. T. Crow I
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