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EPRI Support of Utility Environmental Stewardship through Optimized Liquid Radwaste Processing Programs. Presented by: Paul D. Saunders. EPRI Initiatives. EPRI has undertaken several important initiatives Support industry environmental stewardship Related to minimizing:
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EPRI Support of Utility Environmental Stewardship through Optimized Liquid Radwaste Processing Programs Presented by: Paul D. Saunders
EPRI Initiatives • EPRI has undertaken several important initiatives • Support industry environmental stewardship • Related to minimizing: • generated liquid waste • resultant solid radwaste • release of processing effluent activity
RadBench & Effluent Guidelines • RadBench • Database to accurately capture LRW processing information • An interactive Web-based tool • Liquid Processing Effluent Guidelines • Stations debating “zero release” for volume and/or activity • No industry standard for “zero release” • no solid evaluation methodology • Utilities asked EPRI to facilitate development of an industry guideline document • for use when assessing site-specific processing strategies
RadBench - Background • Captures & disseminates LRW processing data • For benchmarking industry and multi-site performance • Web-based program • Maintained by administrators with extensive utility LRW experience • Utility feedback has been solicited & used to: • Define site data content • Continually improve and update the database • Data input by each site’s LRW expert • Last year 78% of member US utilities input data • Utilities that did not utilize this valuable tool are encouraged to participate
What Happens to the Data? • 2001 - data received from 78% of EPRI’s member US utilities • Released on CD by EPRI • Those efforts are appreciated • Utilities that did not have a chance to utilize this valuable tool are encouraged to participate • 2001 data just finalized • available on CD from EPRI
Average US BWR Effluent MFA Activity 1993-2000* *Source: EPRI Radbench 1.0
Average US PWR Effluent MFA Activity 1993-2000* *Source: EPRI Radbench 1.0
Path Forward • Website being developed that will produce output as well as collect data • Next version of RadBench will include DAW and other waste steams • Utility feedback is used to execute improvements
How Do You Get to the Web-Site? • Attachment “A” of the paper handed out is a step-by-step guide for accessing the EPRI Website and the RadBench data collection site • For the most current data CD-Rom, contact: Sean Bushart EPRI LLW Program Manager 1-800-255-3774 extension 2978
Liquid Processing Effluent GuidelinesThe Need • Many stations debating “zero release” processing strategies • primarily, but not exclusively BWRs • Effluent goals continue to be more challenging • activity, exposure, and liquid volume • Economics and plant configurations impact attaining goals • There is not an industry standard for “zero release” • e.g., mixed fission products, activation products, tritium, gases, no liquid, unprocessed liquid, etc. • Costs associated with LRW & solid waste continue to increase
Liquid Processing Effluent GuidelinesA Solution • 2001 - utilities requested EPRI assistance • analysis of plant liquid effluent options • EPRI has committed to developing a guideline • using a team approach • Radwaste, Effluents, and Chemistry industry experts • for use when evaluating site-specific liquid processing strategy
Liquid Processing Effluent GuidelinesThe Plan • The planned approach • ~3 committee meetings • review and evaluate: • available technologies • local issue impact to the extent practical • cost factors • benefit to site and community • challenges • best practices & other industry experience • develop a draft document • facilitate a non-participant peer review • deliver the “EPRI Liquid Discharge Guidelines”
Liquid Processing Effluent GuidelinesThe Product • Development of “zero release” definition • A document that: • clearly defines options & considerations • defines “zero release” • industry acceptable • provides plain old advice • should include a methodology for cost-efficiency analyses
Liquid Processing Effluent Guidelines Benefits • Cost-effective decision making • for use prior to implementing a desired site-specific strategy • Analysis and reporting consistency • facilitates more accurate benchmarking • Valuable for educating senior level management • Off-set impact of “gray beard” syndrome • capturing industry wisdom • using it to develop rational guidance for plant liquid effluents • Improved regulatory and oversight relations • A tool focused on sustaining an optimized environmental stewardship strategy
Liquid Processing Effluent GuidelinesAvoid the Draft, Volunteer Now! • Utility representatives for this team are being sought by EPRI • Interested in controlling your future? • please contact myself, • or Sean Bushart, • EPRI Program Manager 1-800-255-3774, extension 2978