The Savannah River Site is considering disposing of a relatively small volume of waste containing a relatively high radioactivity content of plutonium 238 from the production of power sources for the space program in on-site disposal units. A major part of the overall program is to demonstrate that on site disposal can be done while meeting all of the applicable regulatory criteria. The waste in question consists of the residual material used in the production of power sources for the US space program. It contains concentrations of Pu-238 that exceed the regulatory definition of transuranic waste, i.e., 3.7KBq/g (100 nCi/g), which means that in the normal course of events it should be sent to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad NM for disposal. However, in order to meet the transportation requirements for off site shipment, the waste in question must be characterized and repackaged. The nature of the Pu-238 material creates some very special concerns with regard to worker safety during handling which is the primary reason for considering on site disposal options that would eliminate the need to open existing waste packages. In order to provide a defensible basis for a decision on the disposal of Space Grade plutonium waste, a technical analysis is being developed. This process uses the techniques developed at SRS to carry out performance assessments required for disposal of low-level radioactive waste. This paper describes the application of a simplified version of this methodology to provide confidence that this waste can be safely disposed at the Savannah River Site while meeting the various regulatory limits that might be imposed.
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