TRANSURANIC WASTES FROM LWR CYCLE 103 



TABLE 8 Mixed-Oxide-Fuel Fabrication Wastes (TRU) 



*7.6 metric tons of mixed-oxide fuel produced per 1 GW(e)-yr. 



t Based on fuel fabrication 1 yr after reprocessing (2.5 yr out of reactor). 



t Included as primary waste in compactible-trash and combustible-wastes column. 



as such can vary considerably in volume and radioactive content, depending on the 

 day-to-day variables of plant operation. Since there are no volatiles in the gaseous wastes, 

 filtration to remove particulates is sufficient treatment. As in the fuel reprocessing plant, 

 excess wastewater is vaporized with the gaseous waste; thus there are no releases of liquid 

 waste to the environment. The highly contaminated liquid wastes are immobilized in 

 concrete. The combustible wastes are incinerated and immobilized with cement. 



After immobilization and packaging, the mixed-oxide-fuel fabrication wastes are sent 

 to geologic disposal in either 55- or 80-gal drums or in 1.2- by 1.8- by 1.8-m boxes. 



A filtration system comprised of a prefilter and two banks of HEPA filters was used 

 as the reference for removing contaminated airborne particulates from mixed-oxide-fuel 

 fabrication-plant ventilation air discharged to the atmosphere. Vaporized excess water 

 from processing is not filtered but is sent directly to the stack. Estimated activities of the 

 major transuranic elements directed into the filtration system and subsequently 

 discharged to the atmosphere are given in Table 9. 



Decommissioning Wastes 



Nuclear power plants and postfission fuel-cycle facilities become contaminated during 

 power-production, fuel-cycle, and waste-treatment operations. On retirement these 

 facilities become a waste that requires management, commonly termed decommissioning. 

 Various alternatives are available for decommissioning these retired facilities. Three basic 

 decommissioning modes are considered. 



