FULL-SCALE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION OF A POLYETHYLENE ENCAPSULATION PROCESS FOR RADIOACTIVE, HAZARDOUS, AND MIXED WASTES

A full-scale technology demonstration of a polyethylene encapsulation process, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Te chnology Development, was held at the Environmental and Waste Technolo gy Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in September 1994[1] . Polyethylene encapsulation has been developed and tested at BNL as a n alternative solidification technology for improved treatment of low- level radioactive (LLW), hazardous, and mixed wastes. Although origina lly developed for treatment of DOE-generated wastes through waste mana gement and environmental restoration activities, polyethylene encapsul ation has application within the commercial sector. A fully equipped, production-scale system, capable of processing over 900 kg/hr (2,000 I b/hr), has been installed at BNL. The demonstration covered all facets of the integrated processing system including pretreatment of aqueous wastes, precise feed metering, extrusion processing, on-line quality control monitoring, and process control. Following the demonstration, waste-form testing was conducted to confirm performance of the final w aste form.