NRC Generic Letter 1981-39
KN9. maUNI~e&TESNUCLEAR RXGULATORY COMMISSIONWAS.UNGN, D. C. 20555November 30, 1981TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTSFOR OPERATING LICENSES AND HOLDERS OFCONSTRUCTION PERMITSSUBJECT: 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 reductionpolicy, and (2) the need for waste generators to minimize the quantityof 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 authoritiesare 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 hasrecently 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 volumereduction techniques for wastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuelcycle facilities. A detailed economic analysis is also presented forseveral techniques used at the waste generator's site and on a regionalbasis. This document is available through:GPO Sales Program ($14.00)Technical Information and Document ControlU.S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionWashington, D.C. 20555orNational Technical Information ServiceSpringfield, Virginia 22161Sincerely,Darrell G. Eisenhut, DirectorOIC r A Division of Licensing_n le? o2Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationOFFICEFDil ....... I210 1 .......SURNAME isenhut 0IFRl Bill' ..... ...........
- DR................ .. &112,03-.00L1 .... ....................ATE...... .... ........ .. ........ ... ..... ..... I..... .. ... ... ... .. .... .... ....NRC FORM 318110/801 NRCM 0240 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
- USOPO: 1980-32982' NRC FORM 318 410/80) NRCM 0240OFFICIAL RECORD COPY* U6GPO: 1980-329-82.
TO: ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEESSUBJECT: NRC VOLUME REDUCTION POLICYOn October 16, 1981, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) publishedin the Federal Register (Vol. 46, No. 200, pp 51100-51101) a policy statementon Low-Level Radioactive Waste Volume Reduction. The policy statementaddresses: (1) the need for a volume reduction policy; and (2) the needfor waste generators to minimize the quantity of waste produced. The policyalso states the NRC will take expeditious action on requests for the licensingof volume reduction systems.In order to assure that all licensees and Agreement State authorities are awareof this volume reduction policy, we are enclosing a copy of the Federal Registernotice for your use.In addition to the volume reduction policy statement, the NRC has recentlypublished a report prepared by Teknekron, Inc., entitled, "Volume ReductionTechniques in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, NUREG/CR-2206. Thisreport presents a detailed compilation of volume reduction techniques forwastes generated in fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle facilities. A detailedeconomic analysis is also presented for several techniques used at the wastegenerator's site and on a regional basis. This document is available through:GPO Sales ProgramTechnical Information and Document ControlU.S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionWashington, D.C. 20555orNational Technical Information ServiceSpringfield, Virginia 22161Sincerely,Robert E. Br uty DirectorDivision of Waste ManagementOffice of Nuclear Material Safetyand Safeguards Federal Register / Vol. 48. No. 200 / Friday. October 16. 1981 / Notices151101Policy Statement on Low-Level WlasteVolume ReductionAGENCr. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission.ACTION: Policy statement on low-levelwaste volume reduction.SUMmARY. The U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission (NRC) has established apolicy regarding the volume reduction oflow-level radioactive waste. The policystatement addresses: (1) The need forvolume reduction policy; and (2) theneed for waste generators to minimizethe quantity of waste produced. Thepolicy also states that NRC will takeexpeditious action on requests forlicensing of volume reduction systems.{A copy of this notice Is bing sent to allIicensees and state authorities to advisethem 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.Washington. D.C. 20555; Phone 301/427-4200.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:Policy StatementThe Commission has established thefollowing policy:Ihe Commission hereby adopts aiolicy calling on all generators of low-level radioactive waste to reduce thevolume of waste for disposal; licenseesare encouraged to establish programscommensurate with good volumereduction practices. .-The Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) considers it desirable thatlicensees reduce the volume of low-levelradioactive waste generated andshipped to commercial waste disposalsites. Such action would.1. Extend the operational lifetime ofthe existing commercial low-eveldisposal sites;2. Alleviate concern for adequatestorage capacity if there are delays inestablishing additional regional sites,L Reduce the number of waste.shipments.The Commission acknowledges theactive role taken by some nuclearIndustry groups to encourage volumereduction practices among theirmembership. The increased awarenessof the industry Is reflected in stepped-upefforts to reduce the volumes of wastegenerated and by applications toimplement waste processing systems bya growing number of licensees. TheCommission believes that a positivestatement of policy will add greaterimpetus and encouragement to theindustry efforts already underway.The Commission is encouraginglicensees to adopt procedures that willreduce the volume of waste beingtransferred to disposal facilities. NRCbelieves It is In the best interest oflicensees and the public that licenseesextensively explore means by whichwaste volume may be reduced. The NRCViews volume reduction activities as atwo-step system. The first, volumeminimization, Is capable of immediateImplementation, since It requires only astrict system of administrative controlson the part of licensee management toaccomplish. The costs for anadministrative controls program shouldbe small, and these costs largely shouldbe offset by reductions in shipping anddisposal costs. The second step, If,needed, would be installation ofadvanced equipment to achieve even -greater reduction in-volume than Ispossible through the use of :administrative controls.There are a number of means lhywhich licensees may reduce volumethrough application of strictadministrative controls. Some of theseare: (11) Planning of laboratory andprocess activities prior to the actualoperations; (2) provision of managementcontrol over the generation of waste toassure that all operations and plantequipment usage are conducted so as tominimize leakage, spills, and volume ofwaste generated. (3) improvedsegregation of radioactive and non-radioactive materials activities- and (4)provision of trainin programs to assurethat personnel aretroughlyeknowledgeable with laboratory andplant equipment and maintenance so asto minimize conditions which result inincreased waste generation.Apart from efforts to reduce wastevolumes by administrative controls,licensees mnay benefit further byapplying advanced volume reductionequipment to their processes.A number of volume reductiontechniques are In varying stages ofdevelopment. These include, but are notlimited to: (1) Incinerators; (2)evaporator-crystallizers; (3) fluidizedbed dryers; (4) thin-film evaporators; (5)exthvder evaporators; and (6)compactors. Waste compactors are ingeneral use at many nuclear facilities.Extruder evaporators are being installedin some power plants, while severalutilities are looking into incineration aSa volume reduction process.Treatment or disposal of licensedmaterial by incineration requiresCommission approval under 10 CFR2M0.5. Other modifications required toInstall volume reduction equipment atreactor plants can be accomplishedwithout prior Commission approvalunder 10 CFR 5.9 unless the proposedmodification involves a change In thetechnical specifications incorporated Inthe license or an unreviewed safetyquestion. Non-reactor licensees whowish to apply volume reductionquIpment to their wastes should-qontact the appropriate NRC licensingtaff for guidance regarding licensingrequirements.The NRC staff Is available to consultwith licensees regarding volumereduction practices. NRC staff willcooperate with licensees in assessingthe state-of-the-art of meihods for&'achievement of volume reduction, and-will take expeditious action on requestsfor licensing volume reduction systems.Dated at Washgton, D.C.. ths 12th day ofOctober i9g.For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.Samuel J.( flLSecretary of the C=mmissionIUMDcO1 sedE a -1 sa, ILUNG CODlE 1501-
/7,,NRC Form 8C(4-79)NRCM 0240 '.)v94L /67/%WC ...II4-COVER SHEET FOR CORRESPONDENCEUse this Cover Sheet to Protect Originals of Multi-Page Correspondence.I'\