1. NRC Concentration Averaging & Encapsulation Branch Technical Position, Revision 1
Matthew Hooper
Joe Sullivan

2. What is the BTP?
Regulatory guidance that limits the extent to which nuclide concentrations can be averaged in waste material for compliance with 10 CFR Part 61

3. History 1982: 10 CFR 61 first published
10 CFR 61.55(a)(8) – specifies averaging of waste concentrations is acceptable
1983: BTP on waste characterization
and classification
1991: BTP on waste form
1995: CABTP
2015: Revised CABTP

4. More History
1983 BTP - evolved from documents published shortly after 10 CFR 61
1995 CABTP
Replaced the CA section of the 1983 BTP
Focus: exhuming items via inadvertent intruder
2015 Revised CABTP
Updates the 1995 CABTP Entirely
We can use the 1995 or 2015 BTP

5. What’s New (2015) Guidance broken down into categories:
Blendable Waste (Section 3.2)
Discrete Items (Section 3.3)
New definition of “Classification Controlling” adds “Radionuclides of Concern”
Logic Difference for Items:
First, determine if the group average meets classification limits
Second, ensure each item meets limits
Almost universal is a composite of smears

6. Impact of the 2015 Rev
“Factor of 10” rule for mixing blendable waste removed; defines adequate blending
Activated Metals guidance clarified but little impact on routine metals
Filters – Easier to average
Blendable little or no help to get to Class A
Solidification and encapsulation allowed
“Extreme Measures to lower waste classification should be avoided”

7. Impact - Continued “Wider Gates” for Items Factor of 10 to Limit
Replaces Factor of 1.5
Factor of 10 Max to Avg – Eliminated
Factor of 10 Avg to Min – Eliminated

8. Blendable Waste
Factor of 10 removed for blendable waste No CA restrictions – “dose is dose”
Evaluate unacceptable hot spots
Trash is blendable – no durable items with significant activity
Allows for average concentrations to be based on interior volume of container when package volume > 90% full

9. Solidified Waste Solidification Defined Examples:
Incorporate radioactive waste into a binding matrix to create a solid/uniform waste form
Examples:
Solidified liquids OR ion-exchange resins
Shredded and Solidified Cartridge Filters
Avg. concentrations based on total volume or mass of solidified waste form
Purpose: stabilize the waste

10. Discrete Items Activated Metals: BWRs: CRBs, LPRMs, etc.
PWRs: ICIs, FA parts
Filters
Sources

11. Impact on Activated Metals
Optional activity-based tables
Gamma controlling factor of 2 dependent upon initial material composition (Nb-94)
If gammas control, you are limited to the factor of 2 for gamma emitting nuclides
Minimal impact on routine metals
More significant impact on D&D metals
due to the Avg/Min restraint elimination

12. Impact on Cartridge Filters
Cartridge Filters as Discrete Items
1995 CABTP – Sec. 3.5 Mixing of Filters
Optional activity-based tables
Primary Gamma Emitters controlling?
“Factor of 2” applies for that nuclide (Cs-137)
Factor of 10 limit for all nuclides of concern
Alternative Treatment of Filters (Sec )
Filters as blendable…special justification
Continued…

13. Impact on Cartridge Filters
Blendable Waste (Sec. 3.2) Two Criteria
Waste can be Uniformly Mixed
No durable items with significant activity
Filters identified as potentially blendable
Limitation: “no significant concentrations of long-lived gamma radioactivity”
Filters must not exceed activity limits
Cs-137 < 7.2 mCi (every filter)
Called out in Sections 3.2 & 3.3.3

14. Impact on Cartridge Filters — Encapsulation
Cartridge Filters as Discrete Items
Optional activity-based tables =
easier to demonstrate compliance
Encapsulation of Filters
Constraints: Volume / %Full / Radioactivity
Class B/C waste – must meet 10 CFR structural stability requirements

15. RADMAN Change(s) Changes to RADMAN 9.2 MIXDAT (Section 3.2)
Combine Filters (Section 3.3)
Combine Packages (Sections 3.2 & 3.4) …sort of…depends on application

16. RADMAN Change(s)

17. DISCUSSION