Using the contaminated lead in storage casks is a GREAT idea. Even if the contamination in the lead is minimal, it is important to keep it seperate from "virgin" stock. The reasoning is not to protect people from radiation, but to keep clean stocks of lead clean. As an instrument manufacturer, I know that making well counters etc requires clean lead. Many research projects where measurement of low levels of radioactive tracers can also be impacted when contaminated lead is incorporated into systems. Old cannon balls from the bottom of the sea are actively sought by some researchers because they provide the lowest background levels! Lets keep it clean. <grins>
Tom Hazlett
"Beck, Jack" wrote:
Recently RadSafe issued a message discussing portions of a DOE Secretarial
Press release regarding contaminated lead recycle into shielded containers.
I followed up with DOE The National Center of Excellence for Metals Recycle,
which is the group responsible for this effort, and they provide me the
following additional information:On July 13, 2000, Secretary of Energy Richardson issued a memorandum
establishing a suspension on releasing the Department's scrap metals from
radiological areas into open commerce. This suspension, and the previous
January 2000 Secretarial moratorium on the release of volume contaminated
metal, have required the development of internal reuse and recycling (R2)
strategies. In response to this challenge, the Facilities and Materials
Reuse Division at Oak Ridge Operations (ORO) which manages the DOE National
Center of Excellence for Metals Recycle (NMR), has developed a number of
innovative restricted recycle and reuse strategies that have been
implemented for both DOE scrap metals and excess equipment including
contaminated lead. These R2 strategies fully conform to the Secretarial
policy initiatives, and are being conducted with the direct support of DOE
legal, property management, and project management policies and procedures.
DOE has a thousand tons of contaminated lead awaiting disposal. The cost for
treatment and burial of the lead is a significant environmental and
financial liability to the DOE. Multiple DOE sites and programs have
identified a need for shielded shipping/storage containers that would
utilize contaminated lead. If lead is beneficially reused for this purpose
it is no longer considered a waste by definition eliminating these
regulatory liabilities.Currently, DOE sites purchase clean lead products on a routine basis for use
in nuclear operations at their facilities and sites. Most fabricated lead
products (bricks, sheet, and components) cost well over a $1.25 per pound to
purchase from commercial vendors. At the end of their useful life the items
are currently recycled or disposed of as a RCRA hazardous waste, or in
radioactively contaminated mixed waste. The only outlet for the
radiologically impacted lead at this time is burial following macro
encapsulation. This processing is a costly endeavor at $2.60 to $5.00 per
pound at Envirocare, Hanford or NTS.As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's commitment to the safe and
cost-effective recycle and/or reuse of excess materials and equipment across
the DOE complex, the DOE National Center of Excellence for Metals Recycle
(NMR) proposes to define and implement a complex-wide internal (restricted)
reuse strategy for surplus radiologically impacted lead. Under this program
NMR will act on behalf of the DOE Office of Environmental Management, Office
of Technical Program Integration (specifically EM-22) as the Department's
clearinghouse for DOE surplus lead and lead products by developing and
maintaining a cost-effective commercially (based) contaminated lead recycle
program.Under this lead reuse strategy, Department Field Elements will give first
consideration to the reuse of existing lead inventories prior to the
procurement of any new lead or lead products. The success of this proposed
commercial lead recycle initiative requires DOE sites with lead in the
disposal queue to reprogram these funds to secure recycle and reuse of the
lead into usable products. Additionally, sites must also be able to accept
and use slightly activated lead products, in lieu of purchasing new lead.Authorized Release Process
Based on radiological burdens after the fabrication and placement of the
lead, modeling has demonstrated the containers meet the provisions of DOE
5400.5 authorized release process under a Directed Reuse Scenario. This
means no individual's exposure from this product will exceed 1 millirem per
year for the Reasonably Maximally Exposure Individual (RMEI). This effort
will require detailed dose analysis in order to effectively manage these
packages without creating additional unacceptable regulatory burdens to the
programs utilizing the containers. Under the "Directed Reuse" scenario the
lead products will be for all intensive purpose deregulated as radioactive
material.Cost
Basically disposal is about $2.60 to $5.00/lb, purchase of virgin lead
product is 1.25/lb. This program can process DOE contaminated lead into
useable products such as 7A shielded containers and interlocking shielding
walls for around 1.60/lb or less using basic designs. The cost of
fabrication for these basic products is charged to the lead generator.
Meaning the DOE site receiving the product get it for shipping cost which
you could call "free".For additional information contact Marvin Bennett with DOE Oak Ridge
Operations at 865-576-0853************************************************************************
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