NRC Generic Letter 1981-39
KN9. maUNI~e&TES
NUCLEAR RXGULATORY
COMMISSION
WAS.UNGN, D. C. 20555 November 30, 1981 TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES
AND APPLICANTS
FOR OPERATING
LICENSES AND HOLDERS OF CONSTRUCTION
PERMITS SUBJECT: NRC VOLUME REDUCTION
POLICY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 81-39)'m-, On October 16, 1981, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)published in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp. 51100-51101)
>* a policy statemen-ton Low-Level Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction.
The policy statement addresses:
(1) the need for a volume reduction policy, and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced.
The policy also states the NRC will take expedi-tious action on requests for the licensing of volume reduction systems.In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are aware of this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of.the Federal Register Notice for your use.In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recently published a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled"Volume Reduction Techniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206.
This report presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques for wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities.
A detailed economic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the waste generator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available through: GPO Sales Program ($14.00)Technical Information and Document Control U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 or National Technical Information Service Springfield, Virginia 22161 Sincerely, Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director OIC r A Division of Licensing_n le? o2Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation OFFICEFDil
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- USOPO: 1980-32982
' NRC FORM 318 410/80) NRCM 0240 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY* U6GPO: 1980-329-82.
TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES SUBJECT: NRC VOLUME REDUCTION
POLICY On October 16, 1981, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published in the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp 51100-51101)
a policy statement on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction.
The policy statement addresses:
(1) the need for a volume reduction policy; and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced.
The policy also states the NRC will take expeditious action on requests for the licensing of volume reduction systems.In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are aware of this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of the Federal Register notice for your use.In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recently published a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled, "Volume Reduction Techniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206.
This report presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques for wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities.
A detailed economic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the waste generator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available through: GPO Sales Program Technical Information and Document Control U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 or National Technical Information Service Springfield, Virginia 22161 Sincerely, Robert E. Br uty Director Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Federal Register / Vol. 48. No. 200 / Friday. October 16. 1981 / Notices1 51101 Policy Statement on Low-Level Wlaste Volume Reduction AGENCr. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Policy statement on low-level waste volume reduction.
SUMmARY. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established a policy regarding the volume reduction of low-level radioactive waste. The policy statement addresses:
(1) The need for volume reduction policy; and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced.
The policy also states that NRC will take expeditious action on requests for licensing of volume reduction systems.{A copy of this notice Is bing sent to all Iicensees and state authorities to advise them of this policy.)EFFECTIVE
DATE: October 1, 1981.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT
- Robert E. Browning.
Deputy Director.Division of Waste Management U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
D.C. 20555; Phone 301/427-4200.SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION:
Policy Statement The Commission has established the following policy: Ihe Commission hereby adopts a iolicy calling on all generators of low-level radioactive waste to reduce the volume of waste for disposal;
licensees are encouraged to establish programs commensurate with good volume reduction practices.
.-The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) considers it desirable that licensees reduce the volume of low-level radioactive waste generated and shipped to commercial waste disposal sites. Such action would.1. Extend the operational lifetime of the existing commercial low-evel disposal sites;2. Alleviate concern for adequate storage capacity if there are delays in establishing additional regional sites, L Reduce the number of waste.shipments.
The Commission acknowledges the active role taken by some nuclear Industry groups to encourage volume reduction practices among their membership.
The increased awareness of the industry Is reflected in stepped-up efforts to reduce the volumes of waste generated and by applications to implement waste processing systems by a growing number of licensees.
The Commission believes that a positive statement of policy will add greater impetus and encouragement to the industry efforts already underway.The Commission is encouraging licensees to adopt procedures that will reduce the volume of waste being transferred to disposal facilities.
NRC believes It is In the best interest of licensees and the public that licensees extensively explore means by which waste volume may be reduced. The NRC Views volume reduction activities as a two-step system. The first, volume minimization, Is capable of immediate Implementation, since It requires only a strict system of administrative controls on the part of licensee management to accomplish.
The costs for an administrative controls program should be small, and these costs largely should be offset by reductions in shipping and disposal costs. The second step, If ,needed, would be installation of advanced equipment to achieve even -greater reduction in-volume than Is possible through the use of : administrative controls.There are a number of means lhy which licensees may reduce volume through application of strict administrative controls.
Some of these are: (11) Planning of laboratory and process activities prior to the actual operations;
(2) provision of management control over the generation of waste to assure that all operations and plant equipment usage are conducted so as to minimize leakage, spills, and volume of waste generated.
(3) improved segregation of radioactive and non-radioactive materials activities- and (4)provision of trainin programs to assure that personnel aretroughly eknowledgeable with laboratory and plant equipment and maintenance so as to minimize conditions which result in increased waste generation.
Apart from efforts to reduce waste volumes by administrative controls, licensees mnay benefit further by applying advanced volume reduction equipment to their processes.
A number of volume reduction techniques are In varying stages of development.
These include, but are not limited to: (1) Incinerators;
(2)evaporator-crystallizers;
(3) fluidized bed dryers; (4) thin-film evaporators;
(5)exthvder evaporators;
and (6)compactors.
Waste compactors are in general use at many nuclear facilities.
Extruder evaporators are being installed in some power plants, while several utilities are looking into incineration aS a volume reduction process.Treatment or disposal of licensed material by incineration requires Commission approval under 10 CFR 2M0.5. Other modifications required to Install volume reduction equipment at reactor plants can be accomplished without prior Commission approval under 10 CFR 5.9 unless the proposed modification involves a change In the technical specifications incorporated In the license or an unreviewed safety question.
Non-reactor licensees who wish to apply volume reduction quIpment to their wastes should-qontact the appropriate NRC licensing taff for guidance regarding licensing requirements.
The NRC staff Is available to consult with licensees regarding volume reduction practices.
NRC staff will cooperate with licensees in assessing the state-of-the-art of meihods for&'achievement of volume reduction, and-will take expeditious action on requests for licensing volume reduction systems.Dated at Washgton, D.C.. ths 12th day of October i9g.For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Samuel J.( flL Secretary of the C=mmission IUMDcO1 sedE a -1 sa , ILUNG CODlE 1501-
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