IMPACT OF INNOVATIVE DECONTAMINATION TECHNOLOGY COSTS ONWASTE DISPOSAL DECISIONS (LAUR-04-84098409a)

摘要

Glovebox decontamination and size reduction data developed in the Los Alamos Large ScalernDemonstration and Deployment Project (LSDDP) supports and reinforces the decision that thernminimum waste management cost to DOE is on-site disposal of decontaminated large metalrnobjects, as opposed to simple size reduction and disposal as transuranics waste. The LSDDP, inrnsupport of the US Department of Energy (DOE), identified and demonstrated technologies tornreduce the cost and risk of management of transuranic (TRU) element contaminated large metalrnobjects, I.e., gloveboxes. The Decontamination and Volume Reduction System (DVRS) at LosrnAlamos National Laboratory (LANL) was designed to process and repackage a crated gloveboxrnline for disposal at the Low Level Waste (LLW) disposal area at LANL. Decontamination andrnsize reduction data was developed by the LSDDP for five decontamination technologies and 4rnmetal cutting technologies to support the DVRS mission.rnCost estimates are developed for a reference glovebox processed at DVRS for disposal underrnthree scenarios; as TRU waste for WIPP, as LLW processed by baseline technologies, and asrnLLW processed using the demonstrated lowest cost innovative technologies. The results showrnthat the baseline process for glovebox treatment to LLW was more expensive than simple sizernreduction and shipment to WIPP – for LANL. Application of innovative technologies forrndecontamination, crate size reduction, glovebox cutting, and improved communications changernthe conclusion. Application of the innovative technologies makes it more cost effective forrnLANL to process the glovebox to LLW, separating the TRU contaminants for separate disposal.rnIn addition, the estimate calculates a total cost to DOE, which includes an estimate of thernshipping and disposal cost at WIPP. The high costs of preparation for and characterization forrnWIPP shipment makes it a clear advantage for DOE to treat this particular waste byrndecontamination to LLW.