Research Opportunities for Managing the Department of Energy's Transuranic and Mixed Wastes (2002) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-9
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
Environmental Management Science Program on a long-term research agenda for managing and disposing of transuranic and mixed wastes. DOE's inventory of transuranic and mixed wastes (TM wastes)
|
From page 2... ...
. The objective of this study is to provide recommendations to the EMSP for the development of a research agenda to address challenges in managing TM wastes that are currently stored at DOE sites or will be produced as part of DOE's site cleanup program.
|
From page 3... ...
From these challenges, two clear roles for EMSP research arise: To provide the scientific basis for new technologies that will be necessary for improving management and disposal of TM wastes during the next 20 years, especially if regulatory changes that DOE expects to simplify dealing with problematic wastes are not forthcoming.
|
From page 4... ...
Determining the physical, chemical, and radiological properties of TM wastes pertinent to handling, processing, transportation, and storage is costly and time-consuming. The problem is amplified by the wide variety of the wastes and their heterogeneity.
|
From page 5... ...
This research should emphasize remote imaging and sensing technologies to locate and identify buried waste and retrieval methods that enhance worker safety. Given the complex and changing nature of regulatory requirements and public perception, the committee believes that some buried wastes are likely to be retrieved in the future.
|
From page 6... ...
Treatment The EMSP should support research for treating TRY and mixed waste to facilitate disposal. This research should include processes to simplify or stabilize waste, with emphasis on improving metal separations, eliminating incinerator emissions, and enabling alternative organic destruction methods.
|
From page 7... ...
I n the stabi I ization area, research shou Id address new approaches to stabilizing buried waste prior to or in the early stages of excavation, smart materials that react with waste constituents, and very long term barriers against contaminant migration and methods to prove their longevity. Public concern about air emissions from incineration has created incentives for applied research toward large-volume, robust alternatives that are emission free, as well as to smaller-scale, portable devices that may have specialized applications.
|
From page 8... ...
that can be remotely interrogated, and airborne or satellite imaging. Research opportunities exist, for example, in developing smart sensors that self-analyze and report drum location and contents, and smart filters that monitor the type and amount of gas produced in a drum.
|
From page 9... ...
Demonstrating that WIPP behaves as expected could be invaluable as DOE seeks to open other geological waste repositories. Buried waste retrieval and monitoring of disposal facilities provide opportunities for the long-term, breakthrough research envisioned by Congress, and these opportunities should not be overlooked in DOE's rush to meet short-term needs.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.