High-level waste management and treatment program for The Analytical Laboratory

A new program has been successfully implemented for the treatment, storage, and disposal of high-level radioactive mixed wastes generated during chemical and radiological analysis at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Washington. This shielded laboratory facility has effectively treated RCRA waste generated predominantly from analyses of radioactive samples obtained during the Tank Waste Characterization Program on the Hanford Site. Several batches of the radioactive mixed waste, generated during the full analytical characterization of four Hanford Single Shell Tank cores and the partial characterization of three other cores, were combined and successfully treated during January through August of 1992. The waste treatment process was specifically designed to treat a low-pH, high-chloride, high-gamma activity waste stream. The creation of the treatment, storage and disposal facility required an extensive six-month permit modification process resulting in state and federal regulatory approval.