Year
2019
Abstract
Macroencapsulation for Shipping and Dispositioning Mixed WasteGarrett MoyersTetra Tech CES HEIThe Macroencapsulating Bagging method for shipping and dispositioning nuclear materials is increasing in popularity due to the method’s more efficient and cost-effective results as compared to traditional methods. Traditional methods of shipping nuclear waste solids involve placing materials in a sealed container which are then placed in a 55-gallon steel drum. The interior of the steel drum is equipped with a 0.5-inch layer of polyurethane foam. Once the container is positioned inside the drum, the drum is filled with concrete and welded shut to ensure proper radiation containment. Adding concrete to the drums increases the amount of needed materials as well as the overall weight of each drum which in turn increases the cost of shipping to other facilities for storage or permanent disposal. Macroencapsulating Bagging (MacroBag) is an upgraded technique for shipping nuclear waste solids that offers a cost-effective strategy for the shipment and disposal of waste solids and can also be used for shipping low-level mixed waste. MacroBag, patented by PacTec, is a three-layer, flexible packaging that consists of non-woven polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated nylon with a double zipper closure system that is designed for the safe macroencapsulation of low and very low-level mixed waste. The low-level waste is placed into a sealed container which is then placed in the multilayered MacroBag. Once in the MacroBag, the nuclear waste is placed inside the polyurethane-foam-lined steel drum. The MacroBag ensures proper radiation containment which eliminates the need for concrete in the steel drums, thus significantly decreasing the weight of each drum and decreasing production and shipping costs by as much as 25% per drum. The Department of Energy can begin shipping a greater quantity and type of material and waste with the Macroencapsulating Bagging technique.