DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 4
4.7 Radioactive Waste (Radwaste) and Hazardous Waste Management
Since the WIPP facility operational philosophy is to remain radiologically clean, decontamination
operations following detection of contamination may generate some radioactive waste. The plant derived
waste could originate in both the surface and underground facilities. Because derived wastes can contain
only those materials present in the waste from which they were derived, no additional characterization of
the derived waste is proposed for disposal purposes. Characterization of derived waste will be based on
process knowledge. High activity waste is not expected to be generated during any normal operating
sequences.
4.7.1 Liquid Radwaste System
Water used as a fire suppressant is the largest potential source of liquid radwaste. The fire potential in
waste handling areas is remote, and contaminated water from fire fighting is not expected. All suspect
liquids are collected, sampled and analyzed for radioactivity, and if the liquid exceeds the uncontrolled
release limit of DOE Order 5400.5, 1 it is collected and made acceptable for disposal in the WIPP.
Another source would be any liquid used for decontamination. All non-fire water liquid radwaste is
collected in portable tanks or drums, and handled in accordance with procedure WP 05-WH1036, Site
Derived Mixed Waste Handling. 2
4.7.2 Solid Radwaste System
The solid radwaste system provides for the collection and packaging of site-derived solid radwaste
including waste generated in performing radiochemistry in the Health Physics Laboratory. It is
anticipated that all site-derived waste will be contact handled, due to its low activity and the nature of the
potential for sources of site-derived solid waste at the WIPP facility.
The maximum estimated solid radwaste volumes derived at the WIPP facility are listed below.
Estimated Annual Volume
Source cubic feet (cubic meters)
Health Physics Laboratory 4 (0.11)
Solid Waste 205 (5.81)
Decontamination efforts 200 (5.66)
Sweeping 8 (0.23)
TOTAL 417 (11.8)
These maximum solid radwaste volumes are extremely conservative and actual volumes are expected to
be much less. Solid radwaste is collected in standard Type A containers with filter vents, and accounted
for in the WWIS.
4.7-1 January 28, 2003