Regulatory Guide 3.13

Guide for Acceptable Waste Storage Methods at UF6 Production Plants

ML003740240
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Issue date:	10/31/1973
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
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RG-3.13
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Octobw 1973 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

REGULATORY GUIDE

DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS

REGULATORY GUIDE 213 GUIDE FOR ACCEPTABLE WASTE STORAGE METHODS

AT UF 6 PRODUCTION PLANTS

A. INTRODUCION acceptable level, precipitated material is collected and stored in a settling basn and the liquid is released to the environment. When further treatment is required to In 10 CFR Put 20, "Standards for Protection Against Radiation," section 20.106 "Radioactivity in reduce the radioactive and/or chemical concentrations to acceptable release levels, solids are collected and stored Effluents to Unrestricted Areas," generally prohibits the use of licensed material In a manner which results in the in a settling basin and liquids allowed to overflow to a retention basin for storage.

release to an unrestricted area of radioactive material In

"concentrations which exceed the limits specified in UF, production plants which employ a fluoride Appendix B, Table U of Pat 20. Section 20.1(0),

volatilization process for purification produce liquid

"rpose", states that In addition to complying with the waste which is handled in the same manner at liquid requirements set forth in Part 20, licensees should make every reasonable effort to maintain radiation exposures waste generated in the solvent extraction process.

and release of radioactive materials in effluents to However, the amount of solid waste produced is too great to be buried onsite. so it is stored in onsite unrestricted areas, as far below the limits specified in radioactive waste storage areas until transferred to a Part 20 as practicable. To comply with these jequirements, licensees store many of the waste licensed commercial radioactive waste iSpos firm.

materials generated at UFo production plants onsite for various periods of time. waiting final disposal. It Is The following definitions are used .n this guide:

important that waste storage areas and retention systems be constructed and maintained in accordance with sound engineering principles since their purpose Is to prevent or 1. Earthen Embankment Retention System means a control the releae of radioactive materials and chemicals watertight system -of one .or more settling and/or to the environment. This regulatory guide describes retention basins including their associated engineered design guidelines acceptable to the Regulatory staff for safety features.

the safe storage of radioactive wastes from plants producing UF,; from uranium mill concentrate. 2. Retention Biin means a watertight basin in which liquid wastes are held for any one or more of the

B. DISCUSSION

following reasons: (a) anlysis to verify activity levels permdtting release, (b) evaporation, (c) recycle for UFd production plants which employ the solvent treatment.

extraction process for purification of urnium mill concentrate produce small amounts of solid radioactive 3. Settiing Basin means a watertight basin designed for waste which are uually disposed of by burial onsite. separating sludges and sediments as a layer on the Large volumes of liquid chemical waste containing bottom. The liquid Is disposed of by overflow to the concentratcldis of radioactive material dightly in excess environment, transfer to a retention basin, or solar of those specified In Table II of Appendix B of Part 20 evaporation.

are also generated and stored in earthen embankment retention systems. When neutralization and precipitation 4. UF,; Production Plant means a plant used for the are successful In reducing the soluble chemical and sole purpose of commercial purification and conversion radioactive concentrations in the liquid waste to an mi esym by '.auel'

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of uranium mill concentrate (USOs) to uranium b. The site of the embankment retention system hexailuorido (UP,). should be owned by the licensee and located by survey.

and should not occupy the channel of any permanent or

C. REGULATORY POSITION

Intermittent watercoune.

c. The pertinent basic design considerations.

Storage areas for solid radioective wafte and methods of stability analysis, and mininumn factors of rctentiom basins for liquid radioactie waste should be safety contained in the United States Department or the designed to provide reasonable asasranci that the health Army, Corps of Enginecrs. Manual EM-1 10-1.PX1.

4 and safety of the public is not endangered during normal "Engineering and Design Stability of Earth and Roek operation nor as a result of credible accidents. The Fill Dams," dated April I, 1970,' provide an acceptable following guidelines are generally acceptable to the basis for the design of a safe settling or retention basin Regulatory staff for the design of storage systems for structure.

solid and liquid radioactive waste generated it UWe d. The Interior of each retention or settling basin production plants: should be lined with an essentially impervious synthetic lining -naterdal designed to prevent seepage. The number I. Sold Radioactive Waste Storap of construction joints and penetrations of the liner should be minimized, and protection from mechanical a. Except for sludges in liquid retention systems, damap'should be provided.

storage of sold radioactive wastes should be in e. Provisions should be made to maintain a safe appropriate containers approved by the Department of embankment freeboard above the liquid level hI each Transportation. basin.

b. Storage areas for solid radioactive waste should E Basin embankments should be stabilized to be used exclusively for storage of natural uranium waste prevent erosion. Provisions should be made to stabilize generated at the plant, including contaminated loose radioactive material produced by evaporation of equipment. Process operations, storage of non-uclear liquid from the basins.

material, and other functions not directly a pat of . The site should be parmanentlyt protected normal storage operations should be kept separate from apinst water runoff from surrounding drainage areas.

storamp areas for solid radioactive waste.

c. Features should be provided at storap areas for solid radioactive waste to permit recovery or Impoundment of waste which may be lost from Grding and/or diversion channels should be provided to enhance natural dra'inge if necessary.

h. Th site should be provided with a security fence designed to restrict acces; by animals and C

containers. unauthorized individuals. The fence should. be d. Storage containers for solid radioactive waste constructed at a sufficient distance from the system to should be marked or coded to indicate the type and permit maintenance on the outer .dopes of amount of contained radioactive material. embankments. Provisions should be made to discourage e. Materils of construction in storage area for waterfowl from landing on the pond surfaces.

solid radioactive waste should be fire-resistive or L Underbed drainage systems, ground resistivity noncombustible to the maximum extent practicable. measurement systems, or other seepage assessment Fire-suppression equipment capable of minimizing the systems should be included in the design. Seepage propaption of res should be provided. assessment systems should be located in potential f. Ventilation systems should be provided if the seepage zones as determined by the hydrology and need for such equipment Is indicated. geology of the area. The design of seepage assessment g. Storage area for solid radioactive waste should systems should provide protection against contamination be designed to prevent unauthorized access to and by surface waters.

unauthorized removal fiom or diversion of stored J. The design should provide for the needs of materlal. routine system maintenance, the stabilization of the basins when manufacturing operations are terminated,

2. LIquWd Radioactive Waste Stomp and alternative methods of storage if the integrity of any basin Is determined insufficient to retain its contents a. A lined earthen embankment retention system safely.

is an acceptable liquid storage facility in regions where the evaporation rate is significantly greater than the IT i docummt is avahble from the Depauinw of fw rainfall. In other regions, the use of these systems is Army, Olrik of the Clue of Engat Watsbion, acceptable only for interim storage prior to treatment. D.C. 20314.

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