ML20148H544
| ML20148H544 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/07/1988 |
| From: | Person L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Surmeier J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-20 NUDOCS 8803300020 | |
| Download: ML20148H544 (4) | |
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s MAR 0 71998 MEMORANDUM FOR:
John J. Surmeier, Chief Technical Branch Division of Low-level Waste Management and Decomissioning,NMSS Thru:
Michael Tokar, Section Leader Engineering Section Technical Branch Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decomissioning,NMSS FROM:
LeRoy S. Person, Chemist Engineering Section Technical Branch Division of Low-level Waste Management and Decomissioning,NMSS
SUBJECT:
TRIP REPORT FOR TOPICAL REPORT MEETING AT LN TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED'S COLUMBIA FACILITY Date:
February 24 thru 2S, 1988 Place:
LN Technologies, Columbia, South Carolina
Purpose:
To discuss the status and future actions concerning LN Technologies topical report review of their cement solidification system product.
Attendees:
NRC NBS LN Technologies Inc M. Tokar J. Cliffton R. Voight L. Person S. Scott P. Denault Sumary of Important Points Discussed:
SIMULATED PCP PREPARATION At the request of the NRC project manager and in keeping with the previously agreed to agenda (enclosed), LN Technologies demonstrated their step wise PCP sample preparation for bead-resin slurry, including dewatering, pH adjustment and addition of cement and other additives. The demonstration and the questions that followed pointed out the need to acquire additional 8903300020 880307 PDR UASTE WM ~20 DCD k)m-RQ k'/lL{dt
C MAR 0 71988 John J. Sunneier information to characterize full scale waste liners. This additional information should include temperature profiles of the waste, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon and any other process parameters necessary to assure a good quality product. An NRC contractor (NBS) specializing in cement chemistry was present and will be assisting in the remainder of the review.
SOLIDIFICATION 0F WASTE OUTSIDE PCP ENVELOPES LN Technologies _was asked to discuss what variations in their key process control parameters could be tolerated before a loss in product quality would become evident. This discussion revealed that gross uncertainties exist in the utilities ability to properly characterize certain waste streams such as beric acid evaporator bottoms. This waste is often not segregated from other streams prior to solidification, contains solids other than boric acid and may have temperatures exceeding 140'F. As many waste streams may be fed into an evaporator, evaporator bottoms produced from these waste streams may be high in organics and total dissolved solids. This can result in a vendor solidifying waste with unknown characteristics.
In as much as the waste from plant to plant is significantly different, the broad identification of a weste type such as "boric acid evaporator bottoms" provides an insufficient description to achieve proper solidification and leads to an uncertainty in identifying acceptable variations in key process parameters. These parameters can significantly affect product quality. Thus, process control plans, if they are available may accompany the topical. report, but process parameters contained in the topical report may provide little assurance of product quality.
TEST ON RESIN WASTE F0PJ4S 1
i As follow-up to studies conducted by Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and in response to NRC inquiries regarding severe cracking and deterioration of resin waste solidified in cement, LNT discussed testing which they had performed to determine the effect that cure time might have on post immersion strength. LNT tests show a deleterious effect of cure time and possibly loading on post imersion compressive strength. These tests show serious and bulk surface defects (including severe cracking, spalling, and disintegration) following up to 84 day curing prior to immersion.
This effect was notable at 35 weight percent bead resin loading. LNT will be continuing their testing to determine where waste loading becomes a discernible effect.
RESPONSE TO INITIAL REVIEW QUESTIONS The 43 NRC questions submitted to LNT on their topical report (in August of 1986) were reviewed and the responses were either sufficient to provide the required information to assess their solidification formulation against the j
recomended criteria in the Technical Position on Waste Form, or LNT indicated that a follow-up response would provide the needed data. NRC will conduct a thorough review of the LNT responses when the formal submittal is received.
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MAR 0 71988 John J. Surmeier eeg CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Solidification of boric acid evaporator bottoms is apparently occurring with out the necessary process control measures to assure a stable waste form.
Uncertainties contributing to this situation include: 1) the failure of utilities or alternately vendors to accurately characterize the final batch of waste to be solidified; and 2) introduction of waste at extrene compositions and conditions (e.g., high temperatures) not approved in the topical report PCP envelope.
An information notice should be prepared to high' light the above situation and to infonn licensees and Agreement States that strict adherence to PCP's (where PCPs exist) is a matter of importance and that NRC will inspect for compliance.
In cases where licensees do not use approved process control plans to provide assurance of solidification in accordance with 10 CFR 61 stability requirements (where this is required), solidifications should cease until PCPs have been reviewed and approved.
SCHEDUL_E LN Technologies will provide the recent results of their long-tem loading tests and answers to NRC's 43 questions in a formal response within two weeks.
In that response LNT will give a definitive date as to when data will be available to indicate what concentration does not show the surface and bulk deterioration noted in the post intnersion-compressive strength tests.
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NAMEtLSPerson
'DATE:03/ 7/88