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L11 waste management
1. 1
5th BAERA Training Course on Radiation Protection for Radiation Control
Officers (RCOs) of Industrial Practices
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority
Agargaon, Dhaka
06-09 November 2017
Lecture11:Radioactive Waste Management
2. 2
Radioactive Waste Management
Content
Radioactive waste-Introduction
Objective of waste management
Regulatory framework and responsibilities
Waste management program
Classification of waste
Waste segregation and collection
Waste treatment
Storage, transport and disposal
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Definition of Radioactive Waste
3
Any material that contains or is contaminated with
radionuclides at concentrations or radioactivity
levels greater than ‘exempt quantities’ established
by the competent regulatory authorities and for
which no further use is foreseen.
Form: May be gaseous, liquid or solid
Activity: May be trivial to highly concentrated
Radioactive Waste -
Introduction
4. 4
Objective of Radioactive Waste
Management
4
The internationally agreed objective of
radioactive waste management is.....
to deal with radioactive waste in a
manner that protects human health
and the environment now and in the
future, without imposing undue
burdens on future generations
5. 5
Sources of Radioactive Waste
Nuclear fuel cycle - Power generation
•Operational waste
Ion exchange resins, evaporation and filtering
residues
Metal scrap, thermal insulation material, protective
clothing
Very low to medium level concentrations of RN
• Spent nuclear fuel
Large inventory, large number of radionuclides
•Decommissioning waste
Large amounts, concrete, steel
Very low to high concentrations
6. 6
Sources of Radioactive Waste
Industrial applications
Production of radioactive sources
Use of radioactive sources
Sealed sources
Thickness, level and density gauges
Industrial radiography, sterilization facilities
Large number of potentially hazardous sources
Unsealed sources
Tracers, monitoring
Mostly short-lived radionuclides
Co-60, Cs-137, Ir-192, Am-241,…
7. 7
Sources of Radioactive Waste
NORM/ TENORM
Man-made sources of
natural radionuclides,
Phosphate industry
Production of metals
Refractory materials
Energy production
Usually large volumes, Ra-226, Rn-222
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Regulatory Framework:
Licensee/ Registrant Responsibilities (1)
8
Establish and maintain a waste management
programme
Maintain awareness of waste management
practices
Conduct safety and environmental impact
assessments
Report any discharges/releases > than
authorized amounts
Notify the regulatory body of incidents, events or
accidents
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Regulatory Framework:
Licensee/ Registrant Responsibilities (2)
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Ensure
Waste generation is minimized
Radioactive waste is managed
Availability of equipment and facilities for management of
waste
Suitable staff receive training
Feedback from operational experience
Maintenance of records
Monitoring, recording and reporting of discharges in
compliance with authorizations
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Regulatory Framework: Worker
Responsibilities
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Minimise waste generation
Follow process and monitoring instructions
Notify processing problems which could lead
to a release
Take notice of dose rate and activity alarms
Maintain records of radioactive materials
Follow discharge procedures
Comply with all waste management
requirements
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Regulatory Framework
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Regulatory Authority should specify:
Levels of radioactivity or radioactive
concentrations at which regulatory control is
required
Public dose constraints which should be met in
the disposal of radioactive waste
System of authorizations for discharge, disposal
and storage of radioactive waste
Monitoring requirements for the measurement of
waste, and where necessary monitoring the
environment
Record keeping requirements
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Waste Management Facilities
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On-site
Minimum facilities
minimization
pretreatment (segregation, characterization)
storage
May include
some treatment and conditioning
Regional/National
treatment
conditioning
disposal
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Classification of Radioactive
Waste
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Exempt (EW) Activity concentration and total activity
< exemption levels or clearance levels
Low and intermediate level (LILW)
- short lived generally half-lives < 30 y
a emitters limited
- long lived above limitations for short lived
thermal power< 2 kW m-3
High level (HLW) Requires both shielding and cooling
16. 16
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Classification of Liquid Waste
(mixed b/g emitters - no a emitters )
Low level - no treatment required
< 37 kBq m-3 (release after measurement)*
* Releases require authorization
Intermediate - treatment required
37 kBq to 37 MBq m-3 (no shielding)
37 MBq to 3.7 GBq m-3 (may need shielding)
3.7 GBq to 370 TBq m-3 (shielding always
required)
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Low Level (short lived)
Decay Waste
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Low level radioactive waste containing short-lived
radionuclides, typical half-lives < 100 days, that will
decay to clearance levels within 3 years of
generation
Typical waste from radioisotope production
Safe and secure storage required to allow delay and
decay
Measurement required to confirm concentration and
total activity are below clearance and exemption
levels
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Waste Minimization
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Delay and decay – Store short half life
material to allow decay to levels below
exemption levels
Dilute and disperse – provide sufficient
dilution of liquid and gaseous wastes to
below exemption levels
Review work practices to minimize
quantities of radioactive material used
where possible
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Waste Minimization in the Lab
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Control packaging etc taken into the lab
Control contamination
Avoid unnecessary use of toxic materials
Provide separate storage for active and non-
active waste (but monitor carefully)
Provide separate storage for short half-life
waste
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Waste Segregation - Why?
Module VII.11 Protection Against Occupational Exposure in
Radioisotope Production Plants
20
Reason for waste segregation
Minimization of active waste
Treatment type
Conditioning methods
Storage
Disposal options
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Waste Segregation - On what basis? (1)
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Non-radioactive/active
Half-life (< 100 days)
Activity
Radionuclide content
Alpha emitting waste should be segregated at
source and monitored before it joins a
specialized waste stream
!
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Waste Segregation - On what basis? (2)
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Physical/chemical form
aqueous/organic liquids
sludges or suspended solids
combustible/non-combustible
compactible/non-compactible
Hazards other than radiological
chemical toxicity/carcinogen
pathogenic
genotoxic
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Waste Collection (1)
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Waste containers should be :
Clearly identified
Bear a radiation trefoil when in use
Robust
Able to be filled and emptied safely
May need shielding
Compatible with the waste contents
Waste should not be allowed to build up in
the workplace
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Waste Collection (2)
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Line containers with plastic, which can be sealed
Use double liners for damp waste
Collect sharps separately
Collect glass separately
Collect combustibles separately
Keep spent sealed sources in their shielding
Choose containers for liquid waste according to physical
and chemical properties
Check empty containers for contamination and clean
before reuse
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Waste Collection - Records
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Identification number
Date and time
Contents
Nature of contents
Activity/Radionuclides
Origin of waste (room, lab, individual)
Potential/actual hazards
Surface dose rate (date of measurement)
Quantity (weight or volume)
Securely attached label
PLUS
Book record
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Waste Collection - Local
Storage
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Local storage required to allow decay to
reduce the radiation hazard prior to waste
collection.
Requires in-cell storage or adjacent shielded
store
Solid wastes from Mo-99, I-125, I-123 (e.g.
cans, extraction columns) require several
months storage.
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Radioactive Waste Storage (1)
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Dedicated
facility/area
Clearly demarcated
Controlled access
Separate storage areas for untreated (raw) waste and
conditioned waste
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Waste Store Characteristics (1)
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Secure (from men or animals)
Protection from weather including
temperature extremes
Sufficient capacity
Room for forklifts etc
Simple construction
Non-combustible materials
Fire detection/protection
Log book system
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Waste Store Characteristics (2)
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Easily decontaminated walls and floors
Impermeable floor covering
Containment edge for floor
Slight slope to a central collection area
Compartments to separate different kinds of
waste
Movable shielding
Radiologically controlled areas
Air sampling and radiation alarms
32. 32
Transport of Radioactive Waste
32
All radioactive waste prepared for transport to a
storage or disposal site is regarded as a radioactive
source
Transport in accordance with dangerous goods
regulations and the safe transport of radioactive
materials regulations
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Disposal Methods
33
Airborne discharge via a stack or fume hood
exhaust duct
Incineration
Liquid discharge via sewer to sewage treatment
plant, rivers and/or the sea
Landfill/ near surface disposal of solid waste
Storage/ specially designed waste repository
Waste disposal must be in compliance with requirements
of the Competent Authority
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Recycle and Reuse
35
Return to manufacturer/supplier
Unwanted sealed sources
Re-useable items e.g. technetium
generator housings
Lead and depleted uranium pots
Avoid unnecessary waste through re-use and recycling
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Summary (1)
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Radioactive waste is material, with no further use, which
contains radionuclide activities or concentrations above
clearance levels.
Waste minimization by decay of short-lived, nuclides, dilution
and dispersion, good work practices.
A waste management program includes collection,
segregation, treatment, conditioning, storage, transport and
disposal.
Waste is classified as exempt (EW), low intermediate (LILW) or
high level (HLW).
Registrants/licensees have responsibilities for effective
management of waste. Lab workers have responsibilities for
minimizing waste and handling and storing waste safely.
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Summary (2)
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Waste segregation occurs in the workplace based on radiological
properties, physical and chemical forms and other hazards.
Waste in the workplace must be stored safely, clearly identified and
records maintained.
Local storage is required prior to treatment and/or release.
Waste can be characterized by referring to records, performing activity
balances or measurements.
Waste treatment includes crushing, compacting, chemical processing,
sedimentation.
Waste stores must be secure, provide protection, allow workers room,
keep records.
Transport must follow regulations and codes.
The principal disposal option at a radioactive production plant is
discharge to the environment. Other waste must be stored prior to near
surface disposal or waste repository.
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Where to get more information
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Disposal of Radioactive Waste. IAEA Safety Standard Series No. SSR-5 (2011)
Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste. GSR Part 5 (2009)
Storage of Radioactive Waste. IAEA Safety Standard Series No. WS-G-6.1(2006)
Joint Convention on the Safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of
radioactive waste management. IAEA (2006)
Radiation protection and radioactive waste management in the design and operation
of Research Reactor. IAEA Safety Standard Series No. NS-G-4.6 (2008)
Predisposal Management of Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste. Safety
Guide SSS No. WS-G-2.5 (2003)
Principles of Radioactive Waste Management. Safety Fundamentals SS No. 111-F
(1995)
Classification of Radioactive Waste. Safety Guide SS No. 111-G-1.1 (1994)
Regulatory Control of Radioactive Discharges to the Environment
Safety Guide SSS No. WS-G-2.3 (2000)
Handling and Treatment of Radioactive Aqueous Waste IAEA TECDOC-654 (1992)