Characterization of transuranic solid wastes from a plutonium processing facility

Transuranic-contairinated wastes qenerated in the processing areas of the Plutonium Chemistry and Metallurgy ^.roxm at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) were studied in detail to identify their chemical and ohysical composition.Nondestructive Assay (MDA) eouioment was developed to measure transuranic activity at the 10-nCi/p level in lov;-densitv residues typically found in roon-generated waste.This information will supply the Waste Management Program with a more positive means of identifying concerns in waste storage and the challenge of optimizing the system of waste form, packaging, and environment of the storage area for 20-yr retrievable waste.A positive method of measuring transuranic activity in waste at the 10-nCi/g level will eliminate the need for administrative control in a sensitive area, and will provide the economic advantage of minimizing the volume of waste stored as retrievable waste.I.