Stabilization and disposal of Argonne-West low-level mixed wastes in ceramicrete211 waste forms

摘要

The technology of room-temperature-setting phosphate ceramics or211u001eCeramicrete(trademark) technology, developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)-211u001eEast is being used to treat and dispose of low-level mixed wastes through the 211u001eDepartment of Energy complex. During the past year, Ceramicrete(trademark) 211u001etechnology was implemented for field application at ANL-West. Debris wastes were 211u001etreated and stabilized: (a) Hg-contaminated low-level radioactive crushed light 211u001ebulbs and (b) low-level radioactive Pb-lined gloves (part of the MWIR (number 211u001esign) AW-W002 waste stream). In addition to hazardous metals, these wastes are 211u001econtaminated with low-level fission products. Initially, bench-scale waste forms 211u001ewith simulated and actual waste streams were fabricated by acid-base reactions 211u001ebetween mixtures of magnesium oxide powders and an acid phosphate solution, and 211u001ethe wastes. Size reduction of Pb-lined plastic glove waste was accomplished by 211u001ecryofractionation. The Ceramicrete(trademark) process produces dense, hard 211u001eceramic waste forms. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) results 211u001eshowed excellent stabilization of both Hg and Pb in the waste forms. The 211u001eprincipal advantage of this technology is that immobilization of contaminants is 211u001ethe result of both chemical stabilization and subsequent microencapsulation of 211u001ethe reaction products. Based on bench-scale studies, Ceramicrete(trademark) 211u001etechnology has been implemented in the fabrication of 5-gal waste forms at ANL-211u001eWest. Approximately 35 kg of real waste has been treated. The TCLP is being 211u001econducted on the samples from the 5-gal waste forms. It is expected that because 211u001ethe waste forms pass the limits set by the EPAs Universal Treatment Standard, 211u001ethey will be sent to a radioactive-waste disposal facility.