1. Waste sampling and verification
NUCP 2311 Radioactive Waste Management and Disposal

2. Verify Waste
When waste containers arrive at a disposal facility, how can one verify what is in the container
Open container and look through it
Take the word of the generator
Check it through various methods

3. Acceptance Criteria and Certification
Waste cannot have the following characteristics:
Gas generation
Combustibility
Dispersible
Explosive or compressed gases
Pyrophoric materials

4. Acceptance Criteria and Certification
Things to Verify:
Toxic or corrosive compounds
Proper Waste containers
Proper Waste package handling
Proper Waste package weight
Proper Waste package size

5. Acceptance Criteria and Certification
Things to Monitor:
Surface dose rate
Surface contamination
Thermal power
Criticality
Documentation

6. Acceptance Criteria and Certification
Before the waste leaves the generator
Waste needs to be
Sampled
Containerized and sealed
Labeled
Manifested
Copy of all this needs to be sent to the waste facility for them to review and approve thewaste

7. Package Certification
Multiple Test Methods
Gamma spectroscopy
X-ray techniques including fluoroscopy
Passive computed tomography
Active computed tomography
Combinations of these
Newest approach is to use active and passive computed tomography
Employs multiple detectors
May employ multiple sources

8. Single HPGe Detector A&PCT System

9. Multiple Detector Configuration and Emission Acceptance Angles

10. Multiple Horizontal In-Line Detectors and Sources

11. Multiple Rotated Detectors and Single Source A&PCT System

12. Tomographic Gamma Scanning
Developed as a prototype at LANL.
Used for both 30- and 55-gallon drums.
Uses gamma-ray source and opposing detector.
Three-dimensional images generated.

13. Stored Waste Examination Pilot Plant (SWEPP)
Used for CH-TRU waste in 55-gallon drums.
Six HPGe detectors and Eu-152 sources.
Automated drum transport system.
Used with passive-active neutron system.
The Stored Waste Examination Pilot Plant (SWEPP) is a facility at the Idaho National Laboratory for nondestructively examining containers of radioactive waste to determine if they meet criteria to be stored at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. SWEPP is part of the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, located southwest of EBR-I.
- Wikipedia text (10/11/06)

14. Passive-Active Neutron Assay System
Pulsed with neutrons to induce fission.
Uses a polyethylene moderator.
Has the capability to measure neutrons from spontaneous fissions.
Enhanced capability using a gamma-scan technique.

15. Combined Thermal/Epithermal Neutron (CTEN) Waste Assay
Uses differential die-away technique similar to PAN system
Uses graphite as moderator
Wide dynamic range of assay
Used to certify drums classed as “too low to assay.”

16. Transuranic waste or "TRU waste" consists of materials resulting from the research and production of nuclear weapons. Most waste that is coming to the WIPP consists of rags, clothing, tools and other such items contaminated with radioactive elements, mostly plutonium.

17. Drum Inspection Scans

22. Questions