Strategic Guidance on the Management of LLW and ILW / LLW ...

LLW Repository LtdNational Waste ProgrammeNWP/REP/011Issue 2.1 – Jan 2013Page 25 of 585.2.3. Surface Wiping [Ref. 5, 14, 15]Usage as standalone techniqueSurface contaminatedLLWAluminiumCopperMild steelMild steel (coated)Stainless steelILW/LLWStainless steel (coated)VolumetricallycontaminatedActivatedDescription of techniqueThis manual decontamination technique involves the physical removal of loose debris and dusts from thesurface of the waste item through wiping or vacuuming. Wet wiping is used to remove debris or dusts whichcannot be removed by dry wiping either through the use of a liquid soaked wipe or by spraying water /chemicals onto the surface of the item and wiping it off. The application of pressure during wiping ofcontaminated surfaces can remove any loosely adhering contamination.Outcomes Advantages Disadvantages• For LLW:o Waste metal decontaminated toEPR out-of-scope status forunrestricted release for re-use orrecycle; oro Waste metal decontaminated toenable further processing ordisposal.• For ILW / LLW cross-boundary wastes:o Waste metal decontaminated toLLW classification to enable furtherprocessing or disposal.• Secondary wastes – high volume ofradiologically contaminated solid wipes /swabbing materials (potentiallycontaminated with detergents or solvents)or solid dust / debris collected by vacuum.Technique used at:• Simple.• Applicable to widerange of metal types.• Applicable to wideactivity range.• Cannot remove fixedcontamination.• Not useful forvolumetricallycontaminated oractivated metals(unless as precursorstep for onwardtransfer).• Manual method –may not bepracticable in highdose environments.• Effectiveness limitedby complexgeometries orinaccessible wastes.A company owned by UK Nuclear Waste Management LtdNOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED