Categorical Exclusion Determination
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
May 12, 2016
Estimated Read Time min
The radiological liquid waste system for the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) Analytical Laboratory (MFC-752), located in the AWing waste tank sub-basement, is used to collect rinsates and general aqueous waste from various chemical sinks in the laboratory. Wastewater is typically strongly acidic. The liquid waste contains both chemical and radiological low-level materials. Based on existing processes, virtually all waste solutions generated are acidic in nature. The primary acid waste is nitric acid (HNO3), which has historically been approximately 95% of the total acid waste generated. The majority of the remaining 5% of the acid waste inventory is hydrochloric acid (HCL). Three other acids are occasionally used; hydrobromic acid (HBr), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and hydrofluoric acid (HF). Samples which contain HF are complexed with aluminum nitrate at a 3:1 ratio prior to introduction into the waste system to protect the glass lining of the tanks. The proposed action would replace the following components of the recirculation system: 4-inch pump suction header, including all valves and components; pumps, including all suction and discharge piping transitions; fittings and valves connecting to the 3-inch discharge header piping; 3- inch discharge header piping, including all valves and fittings; transfer piping and poly bottle sample station piping to the first isolation valves from the discharge header; and a 4-inch tank inlet/overflow piping between the 3-inch discharge header and tanks including all valves and fittings up to boundary valves.