“STATE-OF-THE-ART” POLYMER TECHNOLOGY FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE TREATMENT

In 1997, Nochar began testing its high-tech polymers for the solidification of liquid radioactive waste. Nochar polymers were introduced in 1999 into the U.S. nuclear weapons complex as an alternative methodology for the treatment of problematic liquid radioactive waste streams. The N-Series quickly gained acceptance for its ability to solidify and immobilize difficult radioactive waste streams without the failures associated with standard adsorbents (surface collectors), such as clay, concrete, bitumen, and other similar products.

Nuclear liquid wastes treated with the Nochar polymers have been successfully transported and disposed of from all of the former weapons sites, such as Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Hanford, Savannah River Site, to name a few.  Since its inception into the nuclear field, Nochar’s polymers have been and are being utilized internationally at nuclear sites in Canada, Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Australia, UK, France and many other countries world-wide.

NOCHAR’S (N) SERIES TECHNOLOGY

Nochar, Inc. of Indianapolis has created a series of high tech polymer technologies to solidify oil, organics aqueous, acids and bases. Nochar has created numerous polymer blends to treat highly complex waste streams generated throughout the nuclear complex.

“N” Series Polymer provides a cost effective, high performance solution for a wide range of liquid waste problems. “N” Series technology provides long term stability even under high doses of radiation, minimal volumetric increase, and minimal or no mixing.

Nochar polymers have been utilized at numerous D.O.E. sites including Rocky Flats, Mound, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Argonne Savannah River Site, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, INEEL and Hanford along with sites in the countries of Canada, Slovenia, Australia, Russia, UK, Romania, France and Ukraine. International nuclear waste generators such as Russia, China, U.K., Romania, Japan, Czech Republic, South Africa, France and others are testing Nochar polymers for complex nuclear contaminated liquid waste.

Nochar polymers offer strong options for disposal and burial of the waste form. Solidified waste using Nochar polymer have met the criteria for long term burial at NTS, WIPP and Envirocare. Nochar polymers have also been certified incineratable and produces less than .02% ash.

Field Applications Utilizing Nochar’s Polymer Technology for Waste Solidification

Nochar’s N910 Petro Bond is an elastomeric polymer designed to solidify oils, organics, hydrocarbons, and sludges into a solid disposable mass which has been accepted for burial at major sites including NTS, WIPP, Envirocare and other D.O.E. sites. Nochar discovered through field applications that Legacy and long term stored liquid waste contains some percentage of water. This aqueous portion in the waste is a direct result of condensation in storage conditions, original processing of the waste and other conditions both forseen and unexpected.

When this occurs (as it usually does), Nochar recommends the addition of N960 Acid Bond or one of Nochar’s custom blends to handle the aqueous portion of the waste.

Protocols and Test Standards

Nochar’s polymers have been subjected to rigorous testing standards at D.O.E. sites throughout the United States and numerous International sites as well. The following is a partial list of tests conducted:

• TCLP
• VOC Head Space
• Elevated Temp. Gas Generation
• Iodine 129 Leach Test
• 76-270 Mega Rad (Gamma/Cobalt Source)
• Freeze/Thaw Test
• Vibration Testing
• Durability Testing
• Compression Testing
• Paint Filter
• Percent Carbon Testing
• Percent Hydrogen Testing
• Specific Gravity
• Ultra Violet testing
• Flashpoint
• Incineration Testing

The test results are available upon request.

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