Fact Sheet: Classifying Radioactive Tank Waste

Safe, efficient and effective treatment of tank waste is a top priority for DOE.

Office of Environmental Management

August 5, 2020

Classifying Radioactive Tank Waste

Why it Matters: Safe, efficient and effective treatment of tank waste is a top priority for DOE. The classification of tank waste impacts how the waste can be treated and where it can be disposed. Proper classification helps ensure tank was can be addressed in a timely manner commensurate with sound science and real risks.

How it's Done: The approaches 1 are available to determine whether tank waste from the reprocessing spent nuclear fuel can be classified and disposed of as non-high-level-radioactive (non-HLW). DOE's interpretation of the definition of HLW in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, aligns with international guidelines for management and disposal of radioactive waste based on radiological risk rather than the source of the waste.

 

Key Attributes

Tank Waste Classification Approaches1

 Waste Incidental to Reprocessing Evaluation2005 NDAA Section 3116HLW Interpretation
Where Applicable?
  • Hanford 
  • West Valley Demonstration Project 
  • Idaho Site2
  • Savannah River Site (SRS)2
  • Idaho Site
  • SRS
  • Hanford
  • Idaho Site
  • SRS
Key Technical Criteria
  • Remove highly radioactive radionuclides to the maximum extent practical
  • Comply with 10 CFR 61, Subpart C performance objectives 
  • Requires State-approved closure plan or permit
  • If regulatory concentration limits exceeded, requires plans developed by DOE in consultation with the NRC
  • NRC and State shall monitor disposal actions
  • Cannot be applied to waste transported out of state

or,

Examples of Application
  • Hanford WM Area-C Tank Farm (2023)
  • Hanford Vitrified Low-Activity Waste (2023)
  • Hanford Test Bed Initiative (3-gal) (2016)
  • WVDP Concentrator Feed Makeup Tank and Melter Hold Tank (2013)
  • WVDP Melter (2012) 
  • SRS H Tank Farm (2014)
  • SRS F Tank Farm (2012)
  • SRS Saltstone Disposal Facility (2006)
  • Idaho Nuclear Technical and Engineering Center Tank Farm Facility (2006)
  • SRS Contaminated Process Equipment (2023)
  • SRS Defense Waste Processing Facility Recycled Wastewater (2020)
Regulatory Oversight
  • Must comply with all applicable state and federal regulations
  • Optional NRC consultation
  • Must comply with all applicable state and federal regulations
  • Requires NRC consultation
  • Must comply with all applicable state and federal regulations
  • NRC consultation not required –DOE to maintain its strong relationship with NRC, and continue that relationship in the future

1A fourth approach is Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) citation under DOE Manual 435.1-1, Radioactive Waste Management Manual, Chapter II, Section B.(1).  This approach is not shown in the table.  It allows a limited number of secondary solid waste items to be excluded from HLW (e.g., contaminated clothing, tools, and equipment).

2For the Idaho Site and SRS, the WIR evaluation approach applies to tank waste that is transported from Idaho and South Carolina, respectively; 2005 NDAA Section 3116 applies when tank waste at these two sites is disposed in-state.