Solidification and Improved Treatment of Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Wastes at Hanford.

Treatment and Storage of Hanford's High Salt, Intermediate-Level, Liquid Wastes.

“…The design concepts of the packaging facilities were described by Shaw previously. [ l] Godfrey, Hanson and Smith [2] in a companion paper prepared for this symposium, describe the in-tank solidification (ITS) process whereby the intermediate-level liquid wastes are converted to salt cakes.…”

“…The process and facilities used to solidify the liquid wastes are described by Godfrey, Hanson and Smith [2] and by Kirkman and Godfrey.[3J This phase was begun in 1965, and the three currently operating evaporators have removed more than 125 x 106 liters of water while forming about 10 x 106 liters of salt cake; another 10 x 104 liters of salt cake would probably form if the heated solutions were allowed to Cool. Operating costs range from $0.03 to $0.08 per liter of water removed, depending upon which of the three evaporators is considered. The electric immersion heater evaporator [ 2,3] is the most efficient, while the hot-air sparger evaporator [2 ,3] As each tank receives its quota of salt cake, steps will be taken to assure its safety for extended storage. The solidified wastes will be allowed to cool by dissipating the sensible heat through the surrounding soil.…”