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WHC-SD-W100-TI-003 Rev. 0
1.2.1 Feedstream 1: 183H Solar Basin Waste
The 183H Solar Evaporation Basins were used to reduce waste by means of
natural evaporation of liquid chemical wastes generated as part of N Reactor
fuel fabrication activities. The liquid waste discharged to the four concrete
basins consisted primarily of spent acid etch solutions (sulfuric, nitric, and
hydrofluoric acids). This waste was neutralized with sodium hydroxide before
--discharge to the basins.--The wastes contained various metallic contaminants.
Several types of nonroutine wastes were also discharged to the basins. The
basins eventually ceased accepting waste and subsequently were found to be
leaking. A timely cleanup and closure of th? basins was then pursued. This
cleanup activity resulted in roughly 2,605 m (92,000 ft) of waste divided
into the four types discussed in the following sections.
1.2.1.1 183H Solidified Liquid. The liquid portion of the waste remaining in
--the-basins--consi-s*.ed-of-slightly radioactively contaminated (uranium and
9::V technetium) saturated sodium nitrate solution. The liquid was removed from
k..;.° in a
the ..,,^ Uo.,1114 1 ^^ „rums and solidified ( in the drums) with,a product called
^e^..„cnd s^ ^_ LPC-iI: An-absorbant was adaed^ -on-top o# t^ne soiidified waste.
Several problems with the-sofiidification, including swelling and cracking of
c:v; the waste form and incomplete solidification, has lead to the decision that
--th4_waste must tte-retr-eated-in_WRAP-2A.-Tha th oughput of this waste to
WRAP 2A is estimated to be around 23 ms (800 ft^) each year.
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1.2.1.2 183H Crystalline Solid. The evaporation of the liquid waste also
produced a crystalline solid consisting mostly of salts of nitrate, sulfate,
fluoride, and sodium. These wastes were removed from the basins and packaged
in 2j8-L ( 55-ga31) drums without further treatment. They account for about
37 m (1,300 ft ) each year throughput to WRAP 2A.
1.2.1.3 183H Sludge. The remaining fraction of waste in the 183H basins was
a sludge like material consisting of a mixture of mostly sodium sulfate and
sodium nitrate. This fraction was also relatively high in copper content and
had more apparent water content than the other wastes (thus its sludge-like
consistency). The sludge was packageg in drums yith an absorbent material but
had no further treatment. About 40 m (1,400 ft ) each year of this waste is
planned to be treated at WRAP 2A.
1.2.1.4 183H Miscellaneous Cleanup. After removal of the waste from the
basins, contamination remained on the concrete floors and walls. These areas
were sandblasted to remove this contamination, resulting in another waste
form. Also, tumbleweeds and various tools and structures used in the cleanup
operation were packaged as additional waste. The sandplast grit and other
cleanup debris account for an additional 11 m3 (400 ft ) each year throughput
to WRAP 2A.
'Sorbond is a trademark of the American Colloid Company.
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