B.5 WASTE MANAGEMENT AT SNL, LIVERMORE
Waste management operations at SNL, Livermore include a specialized, trained staff responsible for assisting onsite generators and operating the waste management treatment and storage facilities. The waste management staff at SNL, Livermore develops waste management guidance documents, procedures, and training materials to assist waste generators in complying with applicable rules and regulations (see Section B.2). These documents include specific requirements for handling, packaging, storing, treating, and transporting radioactive, hazardous, mixed, and medical wastes managed at the site. Various containers of different size, shape, material, and color are used at SNL, Livermore to collect, store, transport, and dispose of wastes generated there. The containers must meet all federal, state, and local regulations for their specified use. Table B-18 summarizes the containers used to manage radioactive, hazardous, mixed, and medical wastes at SNL, Livermore.
SNL, Livermore is operating under interim RCRA permit status which allows for storage of hazardous wastes for up to 1 year in designated waste management storage facilities (Buildings 961 and 962-2). Hazardous and mixed wastes may be accumulated in other areas (i.e., waste accumulation areas) for up to 90 days. Currently, there is no limit to the amount of time that low-level waste can be stored onsite, as long as it is properly labeled and monitored. Low-level waste packages are surveyed when they are picked up from the generators and prior to offsite shipment for treatment and/or disposal. Medical wastes accumulated at Building 911 are collected on a weekly basis for shipment offsite for disposal.
A RCRA Part B Permit application to the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control for the waste management facility at SNL, Livermore has been submitted. A draft permit has been issued for public comment. It should be noted that the Part B Permit application does not include waste generator operations or accumulation areas.
Unless otherwise specified, the information presented in section B.5.1 was obtained from the SNL, Livermore Hazardous Waste Operation Plan (SNL, Livermore, 1991n).
Table B-18 Container Compatibility and Specifications for Waste Generated at SNL, Livermore
| Waste | Container Material | DOT Specification |
| Solvents (chlorinated, nonchlorinated, oils) | Low-carbon steel drums | 17E |
| Acid solutions | Low-carbon steel drums with polyethylene lining | 37M and DOT 6D |
| Alkali solutions | Low-carbon steel drums with polyethylene lining | 37M and DOT 6D |
| Crushed fluorescent light tubes (mercury) | Polyethylene drums | DOT-E-7768 |
| ORM-E liquids | Low-carbon steel drums | 17E |
| Solids, no free liquids | Low-carbon steel drums (poly liners used as needed) | 17H |
| Photochemicals | Low-carbon steel drums with polyethylene lining | 17E |
| Lab packs | Low-carbon steel drums/ polyethylene pails | 17H and 35 |
| Overpacks | Low-carbon steel drums/ polyethylene drums | --- |
DOT = Department of Transportation.
Source: SNL, Livermore, 1991b.
B.5.1 Waste Management Facilities
At SNL, Livermore the waste management facility is defined as Buildings 961 and 962-2 located near the center of the site. Figure B-9 shows the relative orientation of these two buildings, as well as the nine storage bays associated with Building 962-2. All hazardous and radioactive waste generated at SNL, Livermore is brought to one of these two buildings prior to being shipped offsite. The vault at Building 927 is also used to store classified low-level wastes prior to disposal.
B.5.1.1 Building 961
Building 961, the radioactive and mixed waste handling facility, consists of a 60×60 ft building that houses material decontamination, radioactive and mixed waste storage, waste compaction, a fluorescent light tube crusher, and empty drum or container compaction operations.
Equipment decontamination is performed by steam-cleaning contaminated items in a washdown pad area that drains into a 1580-gal holding tank. The rinsewater is collected in the holding tank and sampled prior to release or treatment and disposal. If the rinsewater meets sewer discharge criteria, it is discharged directly into the sanitary sewer system. If the waste does not meet release limits, the waste is shipped to an offsite treatment, storage, and disposal facility. The wastewater from this facility historically meets sewer release limits and is released into the sewer.
Building 961 is used to store radioactive wastes prior to shipment for disposal at the Nevada Test Site, or other approved disposal facilities. Mixed wastes are stored at this facility until appropriate DOE or EPA disposal methods are approved. Scintillation cocktails are stored here prior to shipment offsite for incineration (see section B.5.3). The building is also used to store empty containers. The total storage capacity of the building is approximately 2400 sq ft or 250 fifty-five-gal drums (SNL, Livermore, 1989a).
The building also houses two hydraulic compactors. The waste compactor is used to reduce the volume of compactible low-level waste by compressing the material into Department of Transportation-approved steel drums prior to disposal. The unit is connected to a high-efficiency particulate air filter to remove any airborne contaminants and has an approved air permit from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The container compactor, a flat ram hydraulic press, is used to crush empty containers of 55-gal drum size and smaller that previously contained hazardous chemicals for disposal.
B.5.1.2 Building 962-2
This building, the chemical waste storage facility, is the staging and storage area for hazardous materials to be lab packed for disposal. Building 962-2 consists of a 24×24 ft main structure and nine associated storage bays. The building is used to store hazardous wastes prior to shipment for disposal at a licensed facility.
In addition to a staging area for lab packing operations, the main structure contains isolated storage shelves where small quantities of compatible materials are stored prior to packaging in absorbent material within larger overpacks. The floor of the building is constructed of epoxy-coated monolithic concrete. A berm and sump system will contain any leaks and/or spills that may occur.
Building 962-2 has nine storage bays. Eight of these bays are enclosed and are constructed with an epoxy-coated 4- or 6-inch cavity to provide secondary containment of sufficient capacity to hold the contents of the largest container or 10 percent of the total enclosed volume. The remaining bay (Bay 9) does not have secondary containment and is only used to store emergency response supplies.
The Part B permit is expected to be issued during the summer of 1992. The permit allows chemical waste to be stored for one year in Building 962-2, Bays 1–8 and the magazette.
B.5.1.3 Building 927
Classified radioactive materials are stored in the vault of Building 927 pending shipment for disposal at an approved disposal facility (currently the Nevada Test Site). The building, containing 3320 sq ft of storage space, is used for storage of solid materials only (no liquids). Approximately 95 percent of the waste currently stored in the vault consists of depleted uranium materials. Small quantities of enriched lithium and deuterium are also stored in this area. The vault could also be used to store nonclassified radioactive solid materials.
B.5.1.4 Incinerator
The incinerator is a BAYCO reclamation furnace consisting of a primary chamber (approximately 30×30×60 inch), a secondary chamber, a steel-refractory-lined stack, and a side-mounted retort. The incinerator was installed in 1961.
Operation of the incinerator must be and is in full compliance with Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substance Control, Alameda County Department of Environmental Health, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulations. No hazardous constituents listed in 40 C.F.R. part 261, Appendix VIII, may be burned in the incinerator (SNL, Livermore, 1992a). A revised Part B Permit Application for the incinerator has been submitted to allow incineration of small quantities of hazardous reactive waste and explosives-contaminated materials (SNL, Livermore, 1992b).
B.5.2 Management of Radioactive Waste
Solid and liquid low-level radioactive wastes are generated at SNL, Livermore. This section discusses the generation, collection, treatment, and storage of these wastes.
B.5.2.1 Waste Generation
Solid Radioactive WasteRadioactive wastes generated at SNL, Livermore include only low-level waste (i.e., no transuranic waste is generated). These materials typically include contaminated compactible materials (e.g., paper, plastic, wipes), experimental hardware, and contaminated protective clothing/equipment. Over 80 percent of the low-level waste is tritium-contaminated materials, most of which are generated from the Tritium Research Laboratory. The remainder of the radioactive waste is depleted uranium-contaminated materials.
Most of the solid radioactive waste generated at SNL, Livermore is produced in the Tritium Research Laboratory (Building 968). Table B-19 summarizes low-level waste generation rates for 1990. The table also includes solidified liquid radioactive volumes from the laboratory, as discussed in the following section.
Liquid Radioactive WasteTritiated water from the Tritium Research Laboratory constitutes more than 90 percent of the radioactive liquids generated at SNL, Livermore. All liquid waste that requires shipping offsite for disposal must be solidified, at the generator facility, before it can be accepted by the waste management staff at Building 961.
B.5.2.2 Collection, Treatment, and Storage
Solid Radioactive WasteCollection
Waste generators are responsible for packaging waste for pickup and receipt by the waste management staff. Generators collect, package, label, and temporarily store the wastes at designated waste accumulation areas in accordance with SNL, Livermore procedures. These procedures require the waste generator to determine the chemical and radiological characteristics of the waste.
Treatment and Storage
After pickup, SNL, Livermore waste management personnel transport the waste to the radioactive waste management facility at Building 961. There the wastes are either compacted, decontaminated, or simply packaged for disposal. Contaminated laboratory trash is either compacted into Department of Transportation–approved steel drums or used as packing materials for those contaminated wastes that cannot be compacted. Equipment that can be decontaminated, rather than shipped for disposal, is steam cleaned in the washdown area of Building 961. Radioactive waste is then stored at this building prior to shipment for disposal.
Classified ("Secret-Restricted Data") uranium-238 wastes are transferred to the Building 927 vault, where the material is bagged, labeled, weighed, and stored in Department of Transportation–approved steel boxes pending shipment for disposal. Frequently, classified components are returned to SNL, Livermore from the Tonopah Test Range for examination. After examination, these components are classified as waste if they do not have another use. These wastes are also stored in the Building 927 vault pending disposal.
Long-Term Storage
Solid radioactive wastes are neither routinely stored onsite at SNL, Livermore for extended periods of time, nor stored onsite to allow for decay. In order to minimize the total number of waste shipments, low-level waste is allowed to accumulate until there are enough full containers to complete a truckload. This waste is then shipped to an approved disposal facility (e.g., the Nevada Test Site). Low-level waste is, however, being accumulated onsite pending approval of the radioactive waste quality assurance plan and draft application to ship waste to the Nevada Test Site in accordance with NVO-325. When this plan is approved, SNL, Livermore will resume shipping low-level waste offsite. As shown in Table B-19, SNL, Livermore generated approximately 8550 lb of low-level waste in 1990. SNL, Livermore typically generates about 30 cu yd of low-level waste annually, or about 1 waste shipment per year (SNL, Livermore, 1991f). Currently, SNL, Livermore is storing less than one truckload of low-level waste for disposal at the Nevada Test Site.
Table B-19 SNL, Livermore Low-Level Waste Generation 1990 Data*
| Building Number | Contaminated Material | Contaminant | ||
| Pounds | Gallons | Radionuclide | Curies | |
| 906 | 4 | --- | depleted uranium | 1 x 3 |
| 913 | 291 | --- | depleted uranium | 1.679 x 4 |
| 916 | 81 | --- | depleted uranium | 8.53 x 5 |
| 923 | 1 | --- | depleted uranium | 3.6 x 8 |
| 961 | 338 | --- | depleted uranium | 1.1 x 3 |
| 966 | 10 | --- | depleted uranium | 1.8 x 6 |
| 968 | 7580 | --- | tritium | 15,853 |
| 969 | 20 | --- | depleted uranium | 5 x 2 |
| 973 | 5 | --- | depleted uranium | 1 x 6 |
| 979 | 205 | --- | depleted uranium | 2.27 x 3 |
| 983 | 10 | --- | depleted uranium | 0.10 |
| Totals | »8550 | --- | depleted uranium tritium | 0.15 15,853 |
*Table represents Calendar Year 1990 data.
Source: SNL, Livermore, 1991h.
B.5.3 Management of Mixed Waste
Mixed waste generated at SNL, Livermore includes both liquid and solid materials. The liquid wastes consist of acids contaminated with tritium and other heavy metals from the Tritium Research Laboratory as well as scintillation cocktails from the Tritium Research Laboratory. California-regulated oils contaminated with tritium or uranium are also generated at SNL, Livermore. Solid mixed waste generated at the site consists of various hazardous wastes contaminated with tritium or uranium-238. The Tritium Research Laboratory generates most of the mixed waste at SNL, Livermore. In order to minimize generation of mixed waste, all potential generators must have their operating procedures reviewed by the Environmental Protection Department (SNL, Livermore, 1991i).
B.5.3.1 Mixed Waste Generation
The generation of mixed waste at SNL, Livermore will vary from year to year depending upon the research activities taking place and the use of hazardous and radioactive materials in these activities. Table B-20 shows 1990 mixed waste generation by building. The 236 lb of liquid waste from Building 968 represents scintillation cocktails that are incinerated at a facility in Florida.
Table B-20 SNL, Livermore Mixed Waste Generation 1990 Data*
| Building Number | Liquid Waste (pounds) | Solid Waste (pounds) |
| 968 | 236 | 1.5 |
| 979 | --- | 70 |
* Table represents Calendar Year 1990 data.
Source: SNL, Livermore, 1991h.
B.5.3.2 Collection, Treatment, and Storage
CollectionSolid and liquid mixed wastes are segregated from other waste streams at the generator facility and are collected in separate containers. The different mixed waste streams are typically collected in 1-liter bottles, but may be collected in other approved containers depending on operating conditions at the waste generator facility. The generator is responsible for adhering to the guidelines set forth in the SNL, Livermore Low-Level Radioactive Waste Acceptance Criteria. Wastes are accumulated at designated waste accumulation areas. Storage at these areas may not exceed 90 days due to the hazardous component of the waste.
Treatment and StorageSolid mixed wastes are not treated or compacted onsite for volume reduction. The wastes are packaged in Department of Transportation–approved steel drums and/or boxes and are stored in Building 961 until a disposal option becomes available. Absorbents may be added to containers used to store wet solid wastes to meet the free-standing liquid requirements of DOE Order 5820.2A (DOE, 1988a).
The liquid mixed wastes are treated and stored as follows:
- Scintillation cocktails (i.e., organic solvents used for counting radioactivity) are packaged in accordance with Department of Transportation as well as treatment, storage, and disposal facility requirements, and are shipped offsite to a licensed treatment, storage, and disposal facility in Florida for incineration.
- Acids contaminated with tritium and heavy metals are first neutralized to a pH of 4 to 5 with calcium carbonate, or 7 to 8 with Neutrasorb, and then absorbed onto clay in accordance with SNL, Livermore waste acceptance criteria. This process is performed by the waste generator as part of the research activities and therefore does not require an RCRA permit for treatment. The containers are then overpacked in Department of Transportation–approved metal drums or boxes for storage at Building 961 until a disposal option becomes available.
- Contaminated waste oils are generally transported to Building 961, where the material is processed for disposal. Tritium-contaminated oils with more than 20 Ci and less than 1000 Ci are absorbed onto clay in a Department of Transportation–approved container. No more than 15 liters of oil may be absorbed per container.
SNL, Livermore has no plans for long-term storage of mixed waste, other than current practices of storing the waste in Building 961 until a disposal option becomes available. As of January 1992, the total quantity of mixed waste accumulated onsite at SNL, Livermore occupies an area approximately 5 ft by 5 ft in the 3600 sq ft building. The waste is stored in 55-gal drums in accordance with EPA regulations (40 C.F.R. Part 265). SNL, Livermore is currently exploring disposal options for low-level waste and low-level mixed waste at a commercial disposal facility in Utah and at Hanford, Washington.
B.5.4 Management of Hazardous Waste
Hazardous wastes generated at SNL, Livermore include bulk liquids, solvents, acids and bases, chemical solids, oils, empty containers, PCBs, photochemicals, explosives, and contaminated equipment.
B.5.4.1 Hazardous Waste Generation
Most hazardous wastes at SNL, Livermore are generated by maintenance activities as well as the electroplating, printed wiring, photography, and organic laboratories. All of these laboratories are involved with bench-scale, nonproduction activities with widely varying materials. These laboratories are located in Buildings 906, 910, and 913. Table B-21 (SNL, Livermore, 1991l) summarizes hazardous waste generation by building for 1990. SNL, Livermore typically generates about 1240 cu yd of hazardous waste per year, or about 6 waste shipments per month (SNL, Livermore, 1991i).
B.5.4.2 Collection, Treatment, and Storage
Hazardous wastes are collected at the generating facility in various approved containers. The generator is responsible for collecting the material in an approved container, identifying the contents, monitoring the condition of the waste package, and initiating the required paperwork for storage and/or disposal. Hazardous wastes are not accumulated in waste accumulation areas for longer than 90 days in accordance with RCRA permitting restrictions.
The only treatment performed on hazardous waste at SNL, Livermore is compacting and crushing. Most wastes are brought to Building 962-2 for lab packing if necessary, or for storage prior to shipment to a licensed treatment, storage, and disposal facility for treatment and/or disposal. Storage capacities for hazardous waste at Buildings 961 and 962-2 are listed in Table
B-22. Approximately every 9 months, an outside contractor is hired to package and arrange for disposal of lab-pack quantity wastes. SNL, Livermore, operating under interim RCRA permit status, can store hazardous wastes in Building 962-2 for up to one year.
SNL, Livermore has submitted a revised Part B Permit Application for the incinerator. Under this permit, small quantities of reactive waste (less than 2 lb/month) and explosives-contaminated materials such as wrappings and equipment (less than 40 lb/month) would be incinerated (SNL, Livermore, 1992b).
All wastes are packaged in accordance with applicable SNL, Livermore, Department of Transportation, and receiving treatment facility criteria.
Table B-21 SNL, Livermore Hazardous Waste Generation 1990 Data*
| Building Number | Liquid Waste (gallons) | Solid Waste (pounds) |
| 905 | 0 | 2 |
| 906 | 87 | 1620 |
| 907 | 10 | 0 |
| 910 | 108 | 740 |
| 912 | 120 | 135 |
| 913 | 3025 | 1081 |
| 914 | 30 | 182 |
| 916 | 61 | 85 |
| 923 | 124 | 77 |
| 927 | 19 | 239 |
| 955 | 22 | 33 |
| 956 | 1 | 18 |
| 961 | 0.1 | 34 |
| 963 | 125 | 1445 |
| 964 | 19 | 52 |
| 966 | 1 | 75 |
| 968 | 12 | 188 |
| 970 | 3 | 48 |
| 972 | 0 | 10 |
| 973 | 1 | 5 |
| 976 | 0.25 | 40 |
| 978 | 0.25 | 2 |
| 979 | 0 | 14 |
| Totals | »3770 | »6125 |
* The table does not include waste from environmental restoration activities
at the Trudell Auto Site (»920 cu yd of contaminated soil) and asbestos
cleanup (»60 cu yd). Table represents Calendar Year 1990 data.
Source: SNL, Livermore, 1991l.
Table B-22 SNL, Livermore Hazardous Waste Storage Areas and Maximum Capacities at Buildings 961 and 962-2
| Dimensions | Maximum Waste Capacity | |
| 9622 (liquid and solid drummed wastes, items stored in refrigerator and lab packable wastes) | 24'×24' | 120.7 ft3 (905 gallons) |
| agazette (perchloric acids mixed with solvents) | 3'×1.5'×2.3' | 0.67 ft3 (5 gallons) |
| Bay 1 | 20'×7.1'×10.2' | 235 ft3 (1760 gallons) |
| Bay 2 | 20'×7.1'×10.2' | 235 ft3 (1760 gallons) |
| Bay 3 | 20'×7.1'×10.2' | 235 ft3 (1760 gallons) |
| Bay 4 | 20'×7.1'×10.2' | 235 ft3 (1760 gallons) |
| Bay 5 | 20'×7.1'×10.2' | 235 ft3 (1760 gallons) |
| Bay 6 | 13.7'×9.75'×11.25' | 352 ft3 (2640 gallons) |
| Bay 7 | 13.9'×9.75'×11.25' | 352 ft3 (2640 gallons) |
| Bay 8 | 15.75'×9.75'×11.25' | 352 ft3 (2640 gallons) |
| 961 (mixed wastes) | 60'×60' | 200 ft3 (1498 gallons) |
| Roll-offsa (contaminated solid equipment, empty containers, environmental restoration waste, asbestos, etc.) | 80 cubic yards | 80 yds (16,160 gallons) |
a Though not considered part of the actual facility, a maximum of four
roll-off bins (16,160 gallons) located adjacent to Building 962-2 are stored for not greater than 90 days. The
roll-offs are covered by a separate contingency plan.
B.5.5 Management of Medical Waste
SNL, LivermoreMedical wastes generated at SNL, Livermore are generated in Building 911. Currently, SNL, Livermore transports medical wastes offsite for treatment and disposal. SNL, Livermore has incinerated medical wastes onsite in the past, and will resume onsite incineration after obtaining all required permitting.. Building 911 generates approximately 10 lb of medical waste per month.
B.5.6 Planned Improvements to Waste Management Operations
Sections B.5.1 through B.5.5 reflect current waste management operations and practices at SNL, Livermore. SNL, Livermore plans to modify its hazardous waste management program:
- To finalize development and implement a sitewide waste volume minimization plan.
- To complete and obtain approval for the SNL, Livermore waste certification plan, including a detailed sampling and analysis plan, in order to ship waste to the Nevada Test Site in accordance with NVO-325.
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