HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF LOW LEVEL WASTE IN INDONESIA

W. SUYATNO, S. YATIM

Radioactive Waste Management and Technology Centre, Batan, Indonesia

Abstract

At present, radioactive wastes in Indonesia arc generated mainly from nuclear research and in a small amount from industrial application activities. The wastes, mostly containing short-life radionuclidcs, consist of large quantity of low- and small quantity of medium- level wastes. Some research centres have their own waste treatment facility, but do not have an adequate long-term storage for their packaged wastes. Other research centres, like centres at Serpong Nuclear Research Centre (SNRCX centralize their waste-treatment and -storage at the Radioactive Waste Management Centre (RWMC). The transport of wastes from waste producers to the RWMC arc carried out using truck trailers.

Tbc paper describes practices of waste handling and transportation. Principles covering waste handling beforc-duriog- and after- waste treatment arc implemented by considering the health and safety of the transportation workers and the environmental safety. Waste collection has been arranged is a such a way to facilitate further waste processing. The description covers the low level wastes in the form of inorganic, organic liquid waste, spent resin, compactable and burnable solid wastes and embedded wastes.

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Waste Management

There are four nuclear research facilities. These centres are located in Yogyakarta, Bandung, Jakarta, and Serpong. Serpong Nuclear Research Centre (SNRC) is the newest and largest among the four. It consists of a 30 MW research reactor, a radioisotope production facility, a fuel fabrication and fuel research centre and a radioactive waste management centre (RWMC).

In a broader picture, the waste generation can be differed by location at where waste is originated, i.e.: outside SNRC and inside SNRC (Fig. 1).

The quantity of radioactive wastes generated from nuclear research centres outside the SNRC and nuclear application was small. The wastes consist of low level liquid- and solid-wastes. The treatment of the wastes is simple, i.e., through collection, storage, and decaying the radionuclides with short half-lives. The longer half lives, however, were conditioned into cement matrices. The embedded wastes, finally, are sent to the RWMC, because those facilities do not have waste storage that can satisfy the safety requirement. Meanwhile, wastes generated from nuclear research facilities in the SNRC is in relatively large amount. Treatment of the waste is centralized in the RWMC.

Yogyakarta Nuclear Research Centre

Bandung Nuclear Research Centre

Jakarta Nuclear Research Centre

Industrial Application

Serpong Nuclear Research Centre

^Radioisotope]_^

^Production J pFuel Fabrication^

I & Fuel Research RWMC/RWI Interim Storage

Fig. 1. A flow diagram of low level waste transported to the RWMC 1.2. Waste Treatment Facility

Processing Unit

The RWMC has a centralized installation to manage radioactive wastes (RWI).

The RWI is equipped with an evaporator unit of 0.75 m3/h capacity; a hydraulic press of 600 kN for compacting solid wastes; a cementation unit to immobilize concentrates, spent resins and solid wastes; an incinerator unit to burn organic liquid- and burnable solid wastes; and an active laundry unit to decontaminate the personnel protective devices.

To accommodate the 'raw' wastes, the RWI is provided with two storage tanks of 5 m³ capacity each for spent resins, an underground storage tank of 50 m³ capacity for organic-liquid wastes and five storage tanks of 50 m³ capacity each for inorganic-liquid wastes. To to store the embedded wastes, an Interim Storage building that has a 1500 m2 space area is available. Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the wastes from the receiving until storage.

2. HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF LOW LEVEL WASTES

In practice, prior to waste-transfer is carried out, waste producer officially request the RWMC to transfer their wastes to the RWMC. In the request, the waste producer mentions the waste description which includes activity of alpha- beta- and gamma-radiation; radionuclides content, amout of waste, physical and chemical form of waste, and other important information. The description will determine the waste handling and transportation method.

too Radioactive Waste Installation (RW1)

Fig 2 A flow diagram since the waste receiving, processing until storage 2.1. WASTE HANDLING

Wastes originated from centres in the SNRC are usually handled and transported in 'raw' condition, whereas wastes from outside the SNRC handled and transported in pre-treated condition.

2.1.1 Raw wastes

In practice, waste handling and transportation are carried out according to the waste treatment methods. The raw wastes which is originated from centres in the SNRC consist of

1. liquid:, inorganic organic spent resins 2. solid, compactable

burnable

non-compactable and non-burnable

Both inorganic liquid wastes, and spent resins can be directly transported by waste transporter as long as the specific activity does not exceed 0.1 CiAn3 But, other type of waste does need a well designed and tested packaging to be safely handled and transported.

Inorganic Liquid Wastes

The inorganic liquid wastes generated by the nuclear research centres in SNRC are collected in stainless steel storage tanks located in each centre The transporter will carry wastes from those waste generating centres to the RWMC located within a radius of 2 km. The transporter used by the RWMC is shown in Fig. 3 The transporter is capable of safely performing all operations necessary to transfer liquid waste Into and out of the unit Transfer is to be effected by placing the transfer tank under partial vacuum for

Fig 3 Liquid waste transporter used by RWMC

filling/loading, and pressurizing the tank to empty Transfer piping size is 50 mm in diameter and a flexible hose of approximately 15 m length with a self blanking quick connect/disconnect coupling is provided.

Liquid wastes generated by a radioisotope production centre has an activity level of 1.5 10-' Ci which is considered to be the highest activity level among the low level liquid wastes. However, the waste activity level is still lower than the A2 limits set-up by IAEA.

Up till now, the maximum measured dose in liquid waste transportation is 0.4 m³/h at contact and 0.3 mrem/h at l m from the trailer In the RWMC, the wastes are evaporated to convert the raw waste into concentrates. Finally, the concentrates are solidified in 950-1 concrete shells

The inorganic liquid wastes generated by nuclear research facilities outside SNRC Serpong is processed by each facilities. Then, the waste will be transferred to the RWMC in the embedded form. Handling and transportation of this type waste is described in details in Sect 2 1.2

Organic Liquid Wastes

This type of waste is generated by laboratories in the SNRC The organic liquid wastes are collected in Teflon jerrycans. A stainless-steel container is provided as a packaging in which three 30 1 jenycans can be contained. Space between the container and jerrycans is filled with absorbents as a shock absorber. A complete packaging for organic liquid waste is shown in Fig. 4.

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Fig 4 Packaging used to handle organic liquid wastes

Transportation of the organic liquid waste is carried out using a specifically designed truck to transport solid wastes Once the truck reaches its destination in the RWMC, using a portable pump the liquid waste is unloaded to an underground storage tank to be processed further Each time the wastes are transferred to the storage tank, samples of wastes are picked up to carry out the waste identification In RWMC, the wastes will be incinerated, then the generated ash will be solidified in a 100-1 drum

Spent Resins

In addition to liquid wastes, a research reactor in SNRC also generates spent resins To meet transport criteria, dilution of the resins is needed until the specific activity of resins down to 0 1 Ci/m³ Transfer of resins from the storage tank to the transporter is carried out indoor The resins recirculated by a pump and then trapped in transporter tank The process continues until a half of transporter tank filled with the resins The size of the tank is 1 5 m³ It is made of SS 316 L with a wall thickness of 9 mm (Fig 5) In the RWMC, the wastes are unloaded to a storage tank in similar way but reversibly the loading process Finally, the spent resins are immobilized with cement slurries in a 350-1 concrete shell

Fig 5 Spent resins transporter Compactable Solid Waste

The wastes consist of boxes, paper, woods, etc The wastes are contaminated with ß, y emitters such as Co^.Cs'^etc Up till now, the maximum measured activity of the solid waste is 0 7 mCi that is still considered lower than A2 value set-up by the IAEA for those emitters To avoid the spread of contaminants during handling, the wastes are put into plastic bags Then, the bag is tied using a tape Finality, the bag is put into alOO-1 steel drum The packages containing the low level solid waste are then loaded to a specifically designed truck to transport solid wastes and the total number of packages aboard a single conveyance is limited so that the total sum of the transport index does not exceed 10 The maximum of measured radiation exposure is 0 4 mrem/h at contact and 0 2 mrem/h at l m from the freight container In RWMC, the compactable wastes in 100-1 drum are placed in a 200 ! drum and compacted by a 600 kN hydraulic press The 200-1 drum is then moved the cementation unit for solidification in cement slurry

Burnable Solid Waste

Burnable solid waste particularly animal carcasses are generated by laboratories Other wastes are paper, linen, etc The waste is placed in plastic bags Then, the bag is tied using tapes Finally, the bag is put into boxes The packages containing the low level solid waste are then loaded to solid waste truck The same transport criteria are applied for the packages In the RWMC, the waste will be kept in refrigerated conditions until incineration process scheduled to treat this waste Then, the generated ash will be solidified in a 100-1 drum

Non-Compactable and non-Burnable Solid Wastes

The wastes consist of metals, filter, glass, spent sources, etc Metals and filters are transported to the RWMC only after undergoing segmentation Those wastes and sealed spent sources is in put in plastic bags or boxes if possible then placed in a 200-1 drum or a 950-1 concrete shell depending on the waste activity level After removing the waste from the plastic bags, the waste will be directly solidified in 950-1 concrete shells

2 1 2 Embedded Wastes

Embedded Wastes From Facilities Outside SNRC-Serpong

Liquid wastes generated by facilities outside SNRC-Serpong usually are immobilized locally by each facilities The waste was put into a 2001 steel drum and immobilized with cement slurry Conditioning in this way prevents unauthorized removal of the radioactive waste because of the bulk, weight and vigorous nature of the package and it also provide barriers against loss of containment of radioactive waste A 200-1 package would have a weight of about 450 kg For reasons previously mentioned, the embedded waste need to be stored in the RWMC'Interim Storage

Fig 6 Embedded waste package from facilities outside SNRC-Serpong Embedded Wastes from the RWMC

Packaged wastes generated by the RWMC itself has two different size containment, i e , 200 1 drum and 950-1 concrete shell It is noted, that the external dimension of 350-1 concrete shell is the same as that of the 950-1 concrete shell (Fig 7), but the first has a thicker wall

toto

Wastes packaged m 200-1 drum may be either cemented solid wastes or organic liquid wastes Wastes packaged in 350-1 drum are cemented spent resins, whereas wastes packaged in 950-1 drum may be solidified concentrates or solid wastes Each package is identified as explained in Sect 213

Fig 7 A 950 1 concrete shell along with a Steel containment

The embedded wastes in the RWI need to be transferred to Interim Storage The distance between the RWI and the Interim Storage is only about 100 m A forklift is used because its versatility in picking up and arranging the packaged waste in the Interim Storage Within a restricted area, the transportation of embedded wastes from the waste processing unit to Interim Storage building does not need to apply the local (Indonesia) transport regulations However, the waste transportation is carried out very carefully and the safety regulations are fully followed A radiation protection personnel always accompanies the transportation workers The Interim Storage which has 40 cm wall thickness, has a space area of 1500 m² and capable to store about 1500 200-1 drums and 500 950-1 concrete shells

213 Package Identification

Waste generator is responsible to put package identification The identification is carried out immediately after the wastes are ready in the containment or package Package identification is carried out by attaching placards on different sides of the package surface or on four sides of a freight container on the package surfaces The identification may include package category, contents, and activity For the waste transporter a placard is also needed to show that the vehicle is commonly used to transport radioactive wastes In a broader scope, a transportation information system is applied on every radioactive waste transferred from the facilities Transportation workers need to fill the Radioactive Waste and Contaminated Material form in five copies, each copy will be sent to the division of waste process, the division of occupational and environmental safety, the regulatory body, the consignor, and the sub-division of transportation

22 WASTE TRANSPORTATION Transport Criteria

To conduct a radioactive waste transportation, National Regulatory Body has set up a safety criteria These criteria are primarily based on the IAEA Regulations, and

Indonesia transport regulations Requirements include criteria concerning loading of tanks and accumulation of packages, i e, 1) for single conveyance, the radiation level under conditions likely to be encountered in routine transport shall not exceed 200 mrem/h at any point on, and 10 mrem/h at 2 m from, the external surface of the conveyance, 2) except in the case of shipment for single conveyance with no packages containing missile material Category II-Yellow or Category Ill-Yellow, the total number of packages aboard a single conveyance shall be so limited that the total sum of the transport index does not exceed 50

For liquid waste transportation, transport criteria requires that there are no volatile organic that are explosive and corrosive to the tank and the specific activity of waste must not exceed 0 1 Ci/m3

Vehicles

For liquid waste and spent resin transportation, the RWMC operates two trailers which are capable of being pulled by a common tractor Each trailer has a fixed tank made of SS 316 L Each has a tank capacity of 6 m³ for liquid waste and of 1 5 m³ for spent resin

For solid waste transportation, a specifically designed truck is available The truck versatility make it also possible to transport organic liquid wastes contained in jerrycans, or sealed spent sources The truck has a fixed freight container made of SS 304 The container dimension i s 4 x 2 5 x 2 8 m

All of those trucks are provided with a fixed biological shielding to protect the driver/operator while driving in a safety level, therefore the specific activity of any waste transported must not exceed 0 1 Ci/m3

Transportation Workers

Both liquid- and resins-waste transporters are operated within SNRC area only They are suitable for local operation by a single driver/operator With a Radiation Protection personnel monitoring the safety, the operator is responsible for driving the vehicle, connecting and disconnecting the transfer hose(s) and controlling the transfer of waste while communicating with the facility's operating personnel

The solid waste transporter is operated in and out of the SNRC Besides a radiation protection personnel, the driver is accompanied by a helper

Radiation Pose

The following whole body criteria is applicable to the design of the transporters

< 200 mrem/h contact dose

< 10 mrem/h at 2 m from the trailer

< 10 mrem/h in the drivers cab and at the waste transfer station The Role of Sub-Division of Transportation

The Sub-Division of Transportation's main task is to evaluate and continuously to solve problems and difficulties in waste transport management The sub-division is also

responsible to conduct R & D activities to guarantee the safety and security of the transport of radioactive wastes. It is recognized a need to promote professionalism in waste transportation. The effort among others is done by promoting better understanding of waste transport regulations for all transportation workers.

3. SUMMARY

In terms of the magnitude of problems and the efforts already taken, waste handling and transportation practices follow Transport Regulations issued by the Indonesia National Regulatory Body.

In general, the radiation exposure of the conveyance does not exceed 200 mrem/h at any point on, and 10 mrem/h at 2 m from, the external surface of the conveyance; on every single conveyance the total number of packages aboard was so limited that the total sum of the transport index did not exceed 10.

The present experience in waste transport is assumed adequate. However, specialists in waste transportation is still needed to adopt any development in the field of waste transportation, especially in the waste transport regulations.

References:

1. Government Regulation of The Republic of Indonesia No. 13/1975 on the Transport of Radioactive Materials.

2. International Atomic Energy Agency, Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials, Safety Series No. 6, IAEA, Vienna (1985).

3. Rad waste Management and Technology Centre, Subdivision of Transportation, Transportation Notes and Log-Book Serpong, (1989).

4. International Atomic Energy Agency, Handling, Conditions, and Disposal of Spent Sealed Sources, TECDOC-548, IAEA, Vienna, (1990).

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