Work Description
– General:
Chase Environmental Group, Inc. (Chase) teamed with Alaron
Corporation, a radioactive waste processor, to treat 1230
packages of special nuclear material bearing waste. The
waste consisted of DOE owned sludge in degraded 96 cubic
foot steel boxes. The material had previously failed Envirocare
of Utah’s paint filter test. Treatment was limited to forming
a final waste matrix that satisfied the receipt requirements
of the Utah disposal site.
Chase induced a pozzolonic reaction to accomplish the treatment.
First, the sludge was emptied into large steel bins engineered
and fabricated by Chase specifically for the project. Then,
lime kiln dust was added to the sludge and mixed with a
track-hoe. The kiln dust bonded with the sludge and absorbed
a significant portion of the water. The bonding/absorption
in turn caused an exothermic reaction that drove off remaining
moisture.
In conjunction with the mixing operation, treated waste
was sampled and analyzed to evaluate the success of processing
efforts. At the request of the waste generator, the paint
filter and moisture content tests used by the disposal facility
were replicated in Chase’s mobile lab. Satisfactory results
were recorded in each instance.
The resultant product was packaged into gondola railcars.
The original shipping containers were torch cut and layered
with the waste. More than forty railcars were prepared in
this manner and shipped successfully for disposal.
Throughout the project, Chase’s management staff acted
as liaison between Alaron Corporation, the original waste
generator, and the disposal facility. Chase’s on-site responsibilities
included managing all treatment activities, operating mixing
equipment, and maintaining detailed records regarding waste
disposition.
