VOLUME REDUCTION OF PROCESS WASTE

摘要

Volume reduction is an important part of any process with a high volume of waste.rnSmaller volumes allow simpler processes and provide many financial and environmentalrnbenefits. Volume reduction is especially important in processes involving high-cost disposalrnfees. Increased waste volume increases the cost of shipping, handling and disposal. By reducingrnthe volume of waste, these costs are decreased and a responsible approach is taken with thernenvironment.rnThe Handling and Segregating System for 55-Gallon Drums (HANDSS-55) is a remotelyrnoperated transuranic (TRU) waste sorting system. It is used to prepare waste containers forrnshipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Used 55-gallon drums contaminated withrnTRU waste must be size reduced inside the HANDSS-55 for efficient handling, packaging,rnshipping and disposal. Volume reduction of waste in the HANDSS-55 will save millions ofrndollars over its operating life.rnConsiderations of reliability, space, cost, technical merit, and practicality were used torndetermine an optimum system to perform volume reduction in the HANDSS-55. Many differentrnalternatives were analyzed based on the previously named criteria. Options investigatedrnincluded drum crushers, multiple axis crushers, super compactors, high speed shredding, low-speed,rnhigh-torque (LSHT) shredding, thermal processes and cryo-crushing.rnBased on the criteria of the selection process, the LSHT shredder was determined to bernthe best option for the HANDSS-55. The shredder provides volume reduction of drums, linersrnand other process waste thus decreasing the total volume by more than six times the original size.rnThe shredder also provides an efficient particle size for handling and packaging the waste. Thernshredder generates particles the width of its cutting teeth and with random lengths whichrngenerally do not exceed six in. The characteristics of the shredded waste aid the HANDSS-55rnpackaging system. The primary benefit of the shredded material is to provide a cushion againstrnpuncturing the packaging container. The shredded waste is added to the packaging containerrnfirst and will prevent items that are dropped into the waste container from creating damage.