ASP 2010 Workshop Stephanie Jacquez for Chris Duy, DOECAP POC Los Alamos National Laboratory

1. ASP 2010 Workshop Stephanie Jacquez for Chris Duy, DOECAP POC Los Alamos National Laboratory September 19-24, 2010 Seattle, Washington

2. These waste categories require interaction with commercial TSDF’s for processing. (Interaction with the commercial laboratories is presented by a different group.) Legacy inventory of Mixed Low-Level Waste (MLLW ) from previous research and production Routinely produced Hazardous Chemical, Low-Level and Mixed Low-Level Waste from weapons research and other programs ER and D&D waste streams Reclassified TRU Waste Classified material and orphan wastes Categories of Waste Managed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

3. Hazardous and Mixed-Waste Facilities at Technical Area 54 Storage, repackaging and verification is handled in Area J and Area L. MLLW is managed at Area G, a Category 2 Nuclear Facility (photograph on right). Area G is slated for closure by 2014. Routine MLLW operations will be relocated to Area L.

4. Technical Area 54, Area L

5. Technical Area 54, Area J

6. Routine Waste Activities . Repackaging and Characterization Off-Site Shipping Slide 6

7. Routine Waste Streams Slide 7

8. Reclassified Transuranic(TRU) MLLW (10-100nCi/g) Includes both debris and homogeneous wastes such as cemented wastewater treatment sludges. The waste contains a variety of hazardous constituents. Both waste streams have been successfully shipped to commercial facilities for treatment and disposal at Nevada Test Site (NTS).

9. MLLW from the LANL TRU Waste Inventory LANL projects that up to 10,000 drums (2,000 m3) of TRU waste may be <100 nCi/g after assay. LANL plans to continue characterizing and shipping TRU reclassified MLLW for treatment and disposal as funding allows. WIPP Prohibited Items are being segregated and disposal options are being explored.

10. LANL Non-Routine Waste The bulk of non-routine waste is from LANL gloveboxes, which were used in weapons production and research and come in various sizes and shapes. Most gloveboxes are lead-lined (RCRA Mixed-Waste) with plutonium contamination. These gloveboxes are currently approved for treatment at PermaFix North West (PFNW) and at Energy Solutions in Tennessee. Six gloveboxes have already been treated at PFNW, and the residues disposed at NTS.

11. Characterizing the remaining gloveboxes and other non-conforming 10-100 nCi/g waste from the TRU inventory. Maintaining treatment and disposal options for all Hazardous Chemical and Mixed-Waste streams. Developing timetable and procuring funding and contract mechanisms for all waste streams. Developing NTS and WCS disposal options for future LLW and MLLW. LANL Current Waste Activities

12. Future Haz Chem and MLLW Operations Substantial additional waste is coming from ER soil cleanups and D&D of buildings, usually sent directly off-site to commercial facilities. Thousands of cubic meters of Low-level Waste is going directly to the Energy Solutions Utah facility. Stimulus money is being used for environmental cleanups. Continued utilization of the commercial TSDFs for treatment and disposal is expected into the future. Participation in DOECAP is also expected to continue, including auditing of non-rad facilities. Slide 12

13. Recent Successes Problem: Because of RCRA Permit issues, LANL is forced to immediately begin removing all Haz Chem waste within 90 days of generation. Response: The Haz Chem Team steps up, working with the waste generators, LANL Divisions, transporters and treatment facilities to collect, package and ship the waste in record time. Success: the LANL process works quickly and continues to meet the 90 day time clock. Turnaround time is down to 7 working days, and the Team is successfully managing almost 100,000 Kilograms of waste per year. Slide 13

14. Recent Successes Problem: The MLLW Team is given six weeks to dispose of the remaining multi-million dollar EM Legacy waste item. It requires a 47,000 pound Type B cask, with attendant truck, driver, certifying officials and inspectors. Response: LANL gets professional help from Hittman Transportation and full cooperation from state authorities and LANL Divisions. Success: LANL ships the waste in full compliance on the last day of the fiscal year, removing all targeted EM Legacy waste from the LANL STP inventory. Slide 14

15. Recent Successes Problem: To meet Area G closure milestones and Performance Based Initiatives (PBIs), funding is approved to begin processing LANL’s inventory of Reclassified TRU Waste. Response: Recharacterization problems are overcome, disposal options are developed, and LANL begins processing both Legacy and Newly Generated Reclassified TRU waste. Success: All four PBIs are exceeded. 639 cubic meters of Legacy Reclassified TRU is shipped on time and under budget. Another 191 cubic meters is road-ready. Slide 15

16. Recent Successes Problem: To meet the business model challenge and avoid compliance issues, all waste received at TA-54 in a fiscal year must be off-site within that FY. Response: The Hazardous and Mixed Waste Operations Group brings in the required resources and personnel and establishes procedures for expeditiously managing all Haz Chem and Mixed waste. Success: For two years running, LANL has shipped all waste received in full compliance within the same fiscal year. Slide 16

17. Recent Successes Many important process improvements have been initiated by the Hazardous and Mixed Waste Operations Group, including waste repackaging, recharacterization, joint shipments with other DOE sites, negotiations with TSDFs and several other innovative approaches to compliant waste management. These efforts contribute to collective savings of millions of taxpayer dollars, winning recognition from LANL Management, the New Mexico Environmental Department, NNSA and the DOE. Slide 17