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Optimizing Liquid Effluent Monitoring at a Large Nuclear Complex

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Abstract

Effluent monitoring typically requires a large number of analytes and samples during the initial or startup phase of a facility. Once a baseline is established, the analyte list and sampling frequency may be reduced. Although there is a large body of literature relevant to the initial design, few, if any, published papers exist on updating established effluent monitoring programs. This paper statistically evaluates four years of baseline data to optimize the liquid effluent monitoring efficiency of a centralized waste treatment and disposal facility at a large defense nuclear complex. Specific objectives were to: (1) assess temporal variability in analyte concentrations, (2) determine operational factors contributing to waste stream variability, (3) assess the probability of exceeding permit limits, and (4) streamline the sampling and analysis regime. Results indicated that the probability of exceeding permit limits was one in a million under normal facility operating conditions, sampling frequency could be reduced, and several analytes could be eliminated. Furthermore, indicators such as gross alpha and gross beta measurements could be used in lieu of more expensive specific isotopic analyses (radium, cesium-137, and strontium-90) for routine monitoring. Study results were used by the state regulatory agency to modify monitoring requirements for a new discharge permit, resulting in an annual cost savings of US $223,000. This case study demonstrates that statistical evaluation of effluent contaminant variability coupled with process knowledge can help plant managers and regulators streamline analyte lists and sampling frequencies based on detection history and environmental risk.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Mr. R. M. Smith, Mr. G. L. Sinton, and anonymous reviewers for critical reviews that improved the quality of the manuscript. This work was conducted in support of the effluent and groundwater monitoring activities sponsored by the 200 Area Liquid Waste Processing Facilities. Fluor Hanford Company manages the Liquid Waste Processing Facility for the US Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory conducts the Hanford Site Groundwater Monitoring Project under contract DE-AC06-76RLO 1830 for the US Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office. The Hanford Site Groundwater Monitoring Project and Dr. Wayne Martin, manager of Applied Geology and Geochemistry, sponsored preparation of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN: K6-81, Richland, Washington 99352, USA

    Charissa J. Chou

  2. Fluor Hanford Company, Richland, Washington 99352, USA

    Vernon G. Johnson

  3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN: K6-81, Richland, Washington 99352, USA

    D. Brent Barnett

  4. Fluor Hanford Company, Richland, Washington 99352, USA

    Phil M. Olson

Authors
  1. Charissa J. Chou
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  3. D. Brent Barnett
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  4. Phil M. Olson
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Chou, C., Johnson, V., Barnett, D. et al. Optimizing Liquid Effluent Monitoring at a Large Nuclear Complex . Environmental Management 32, 720–734 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-003-2684-4

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