Chapter 6
Waste Disposal
A.
The problem of handling and disposing of radioactive wastes
B.
Plant investment for radioactive waste handling and disposal in
AEC facilities is on the order of $200 million, with annual opera-
ting costs of $6 million
C.
Fundamental waste disposal concepts
l.
"Dilute and disperse approach"
a.
Applicable to small concentrations of radioactive materials,
where concentration is reduced to small quantities by
treatment
b.
Waste discharged to environment provides little or no direct
control by man over the effects of wastes following discharge
"Concentrate and contain" technique
a.
Applicable to wastes containing more radioactive material
than can be safely assimilated by environment
b.
D.
Method permits continuing long-term control by man
Types of radioactive wastes and methods of treatment
i.
Low-level liquid wastes - susceptible to direct disposal to
nature or to disposal following minimum treatment
a.
Normal laboratory operations
b,
Ore and feed material processing
c.
Normal operation for nearly all reactors
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