Perma-Fix Blog

Perma-Fix has been developing technologies for the nuclear waste industry for decades. Our staff possess a broad range of skills across numerous disciplines that give us a real advantage in developing new waste treatment technologies.

Our latest innovation, the Pump and Purge system is a unique and innovative treatment technology for tritium oxide. Utilizing a vacuum/suction process and air with both naturally occurring moisture content and saturated moisture, contaminants are cleared from system equipment and piping, allowing those systems to be shipped without removing them from the associated skids. Newly developed custom software precisely tracks pumping activities to accurately monitor contaminant levels.

This system was custom designed to remove legacy tritium from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory with a goal of reducing the risk of a release and safely disposing of contaminated materials. Perma-Fix serves as the technical expert for this project, providing project management, characterization, and material disposal services. Project commenced in October 2021 and is scheduled for completion in winter 2023.

How It Works

During the pump/purge process, the amount of tritium removed will be measured by capturing the flow rate and tritium content of the vapor stream exiting the System in one second intervals and automatically calculating the total tritium in that interval. The intervals will be continuously summed to determine the quantity of tritium that the molecular sieve bed has absorbed since it was placed in service. The molecular sieves are specifically designed to absorb water or any moisture in air. Pumping pressurize moist air into systems is used to soak a system and release more tritium oxide from internal surfaces. After soaking, the system can be used to pull a vacuum on the same system.

The pump/purge equipment will be connected to an identified piping/equipment System at locations that promote flow through the System. Those connection points could be existing connection points, line breaks or, in most cases, “hot” taps that create openings to the larger (2” ‐ 3”) piping. The “hot” tap consists of a fixture that is attached to the pipe, typically by clamping, that contains a sealed drill bit and an inlet/outlet port. There is a ball valve installed on the port. Once the connection points are established, the pump cart is attached to the inlet port and the purge cart is attached to the outlet port. Valves in the System between the inlet and outlet ports are aligned open (usually manually) so that air can flow through all portions of the System.

Once an acceptable tritium removal rate is achieved, the pump/purge equipment will be disconnected from the System. Swabs will be used to collect smear samples from the inside of the piping on the inlet and outlet connections, accessed through the ball valve on the connection. Those smear samples will be analyzed, and the results used to determine if the System can be shipped (a separate procedure governs the determination of shipping suitability). If the System does not meet shipping requirements, a repeat of the pump/purge process may be initiated, or encapsulation of the piping interior will be employed. Throughout the process, localized ventilation will be established at any breach point, connected to the building ventilation System. In addition, local tritium monitoring will be established in the room. If an alarm sounds, valves will be closed, and the pump/purge System will be shut down.

The total tritium that each molecular sieve bed processes is tracked and, at a predetermined total (typically no more than 540 curies per bed), the flow from the System will be switched to the second installed bed. The first used bed will be removed, and a new bed installed as a separate activity. During System operation, breakthrough of tritium past the bed will be monitored intermittently on the exhaust from the molecular sieve bed or vacuum pump discharge.

Other Applications

Perma-Fix is actively evaluating other applications for the Pump and Purge system for any projects or systems with high amounts of air borne contamination. Alternate filtration media is being evaluated for non-aqueous form contaminates. Applications may include reducing air borne contaminates in glove boxes, hot cells, or pump houses prior to entry or servicing. This technology can be adapted to serve the needs of the oil and gas markets as well as treatment of hot cells. Contact us today to learn more.

Perma-Fix offers convenient hazardous waste disposal in Georgia and Florida

Perma-Fix of Florida is pleased to provide hazardous waste collection events throughout the fall of 2021.These community events are free to the public and offer a convenient and safe disposal solution for problematic household waste. For over 26 years, Perma-Fix has safely disposed of hundreds of thousands of pounds of hazardous household waste, keeping it out of local landfills.

About Perma-Fix of Florida

Perma-Fix of Florida (PFF) is located in Gainesville, Florida and offers a wide variety of mixed, radioactive and non-radioactive waste treatment capabilities. PFF is home to our state-of-the-art Research and Development Laboratory that develops custom treatment recipes and protocols for specialty waste streams. This laboratory has been successful in applying technologies and treatment processes to safely manage and dispose of many of the nuclear industry's no-path to disposal wastes.

Your Solution for Radioactive Wastewater

Evaporation is a great solution for low level radioactive, non-hazardous waste waters. This technology allows for large volumes to be processed for minimal landfill impact, saving the customer in transportation and disposal costs. PFF's trained staff allows for preliminary or final treatment of the water/residue to ensure LDR compliance on all waste streams.

An Ideal Solution for:

• Nuclear Power Industry
• Analytical Laboratories
• Research and Development Laboratories
• Contaminated Water run-off

Process Efficiency

Our evaporator allows significant volume reductions for landfill disposal. Most waste waters can achieve volume reductions greater than 100.

New Treatment Process

• Continuous processing available
• Drums to tankers accepted
• Simple treatment solution for radioactive non-RCRA wastewater

The Perma-Fix of Florida (PFF) facility located in Gainesville, Florida has a wide range of mixed, radioactive and non-radioactive waste treatment capabilities. PFF is home to our state-of-the-art Research and Development Laboratory that develops custom treatment recipes and protocols for specialty waste streams. This laboratory has been successful in applying technologies and treatment processes to safely manage and dispose of many of the nuclear industry's no-path to disposal wastes.

4. Convenient Transportation Options
Our network of brokers and transportation partners gives us an extensive footprint of operation.

With more than 20 years of experience, Perma-Fix's team of waste professionals is uniquely qualified to effectively manage and dispose of midstream oil and gas waste. We are pleased to offer complete NORM and TENORM support and mixed waste treatment and disposal from compressor station to refinery.

Midstream Waste Treatment Capabilities & Services

• NORM and RCRA waste treatment and disposal
• Transportation and waste brokerage services
• Radiation protection support
• NORM program consultation and support

Wastes Accepted

• NORM / RCRA contaminated pipeline pigging sludge
• Pigging wash liquid
• NORM / RCRA debris, including filter waste and related personal protective equipment
• PCB contaminated sludge, liquid, and debris

Why Perma-Fix is the Partner of Choice

1. Location, location, location
Two of Perma-Fix's comprehensive waste treatment facilities, Diversified Scientific Services (DSSI) and Perma-Fix of Florida (PFF) are near major pipeline routes. It is estimated that 75-80% of domestic natural gas is consumed east of Texas, making our waste treatment facilities a convenient option for your pipeline waste disposal needs.

2. Exclusive Treatment Technologies
Our Diversified Scientific Services and Perma-Fix of Florida facilities feature the exclusive thermal treatment technologies and permits required to handle mixed waste sludge generated from pipeline maintenance activities. We have the expertise, experience and know-how to manage this waste compliantly and effectively.

3. We Specialized in Treating PCB Waste
DSSI operates the only commercial mixed waste combustion unit in the U.S. with TSCA treatment authorization from the EPA Region 4 to manage TSCA regulated PCB contaminated radioactive wastes. Located on 78 acres in Kingston, Tennessee, DSSI offers the only commercial thermal destruction capability for radioactively contaminated organic liquid and semi-solid mixed wastes. DSSI's knowledgeable staff has decades of mixed waste treatment experience since issuance of a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B Permit in 1989.

4. Convenient Transportation Options
Our network of brokers and transportation partners gives us an extensive footprint of operation.

What is BSFR?

Bulk Survey for Release is a licensed process by the State of Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation that allows for the disposal of materials with extremely low levels of radioactive contamination at four landfills in Tennessee. This cost-effective alternative offers a new disposal option for extremely low-level waste.

Your Solution for BSFR

Perma-Fix's Environmental Waste Operations Center (EWOC) holds one of only four BSFR licenses in the state of Tennessee, providing a new cost-effective solution for low-level waste processing. EWOC has received waste for BSFR processing from nuclear utilities and from approved Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) around the country.

EWOC: A Multi-Disciplinary Low Level Radioactive Waste Processing and Treatment Facility

EWOC is strategically located in the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Newly opened in 2020, EWOC specializes in large component size/volume reduction, sort/segregation, and Bulk Survey for Release (BSRF) with capabilities to receive waste shipments by truck or rail. This 8.7-acre facility is dedicated to supporting low-level radioactive waste and disposition of multiple waste streams from both government and commercial customers.

Additional EWOC Treatment Capabilities:

• Size reduction and packaging for disposal of large components and equipment
• Size reduction, sort/seg of waste materials generated by DOE, DOD, commercial and nuclear industries cleanup activities
• Decontamination of Equipment and Containers
• Systems operability testing
• Size reduction of rad-contaminated and BSRF scrap metal and debris

"We are excited to see our BSFR program grow, and we're pleased to provide this solution to our customers. Our Sort/Segregation and BSFR programs have provided significant savings to our customers compared to traditional disposal in a low-level waste landfill." - Sally McQuaid, EWOC General Manager

Capacity Available to Accept Problematic Waste Now

Therma-Fix Gen³ is the culmination of 25 years of technological advancements, desorption-specific waste processing experience and regulatory knowledge. The electrically heated batch oven system has an operating range of up to 1400°F under a 29" Hg vacuum and uses a tray system to permit discreet segregation of customer waste. This innovative new system provides a unique and full treatment cycle of problematic waste and debuts in October 2021 at Perma-Fix of Florida.

What is Vacuum Thermal Desorption?

Therma-Fix Gen³ heats low level waste and mixed low-level waste to remove organics and recollects them as condensate. The vacuum allows lower temperatures to facilitate removal. Remaining solids are tested for LDR compliance and condensate is treated thermally.

Therma-Fix Gen³ Overview & Capabilities:

• More Effective & Efficient Waste Treatment: Electric batch oven provides superior heat control; batch tray system prevents cross contamination
• Greater Treatment Capacity: Treats up to 1,500 lbs. per day
• Cleaner & Safer Solution: Complies with EPA's waste minimization program, supports land disposal footprint utilization
• Cost Effective Solution: Higher capacity = less cost/lb.
• Perma-Fix exclusively offers a FULL treatment cycle for these wastes!

Accepted Waste Streams:

• Solids, Soils & Sludges containing volatiles and semi-volatiles
• Mercury contaminated wastes
• Activated charcoal
• Spent carbon
• Industrial pipeline / naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) waste

VTD Available Exclusively at Perma-Fix of Florida

Perma-Fix Florida (PFF) - Gainesville, FL
Specialties: Thermal and non-thermal treatment of low-level and mixed low-level waste by evaporation, vacuum thermal desorption, stabilization, sorting / segregation / repackaging, and macroencapsulation. PFF is also fully permitted to manage non-radioactive hazardous waste.

"It goes beyond just the technology -- at Perma-Fix we deliver turn-key solutions."

In spring 2020, Perma-Fix debuted Perma-Sort^℠, a new automated radiological characterization and segregation system for bulk materials. Drawing on our team of project managers, nuclear engineers, and certified health physicists (CHPs) with more than 50 years of soil sorting experience, Perma-Fix built a customized conveyor-based radiological assay system designed to provide 100% characterization of material efficiently and with industry-leading measurement quality. This innovative system offers management of end-point uncertainty with the characterization of both material exceeding the site acceptance criteria for transportation and disposal offsite and material meeting the site unrestricted release criteria.

How Perma-Sort Works:

Materials are loaded into a large feed hopper and then transported through the system with an electronically controlled conveyor survey belt. While on the survey belt, the material is analyzed and tracked. At the end of the survey belt, the material is transferred to a short reversing conveyor that spins in one direction for below criteria material and in the opposite direction for above criteria material. The reversing conveyor transfers materials to standard stacking conveyors which can then create piles of material or transfer directly to trucks or waste containers.

Supports a Broad Range of Contaminates:

• Fission Products
• NORM/TENORM
• Transuranics
• Heavy Metals
• Beryllium
• UXO/MEC

Perma-Sort Capabilities:

• Trailer mounted system for simple and rapid mobilization and setup
• Material output can be discharged into virtually any container size or managed with multiple takeaway conveyors
• Capable of processing > 200 tons of bulk materials per hour
• Industry leading radiological measurement quality
• Operating software supports multiple material profiles for varying bulk material types
• Automated reporting supports MARSSIM and FSS objectives as waste disposal objectives such as profiling and waste disposal
• Abundant guards, railings, remote e-stops, and keyed lock-outs ensure safety for system operators and near-by support staff
• Material is processed with minimal effluent and noise emissions

Learn More

As the nation continues to reopen after a challenging 2020, we want to be your partner in success. Perma-Fix is here to solve your hazardous and radioactive waste challenges by providing cost-effective and innovative solutions, state-of the-art treatment facilities, extensive regulatory knowledge, and 30+ years of compliant waste management disposition.

Our Services & Capabilities

Perma-Fix focuses our expertise to meet customer needs by providing effective solutions for a wide variety of waste streams. Our four conveniently located facilities are licensed, permitted, and equipped to efficiently treat your mixed low-level and low-level radioactive waste.

Our Facilities

Diversified Scientific Services, Inc. (DSSI) - Kingston, TN
Specialties: Thermal destruction of radioactive and liquid mixed wastes including TSCA and non-TSCA regulated PCBs via a licensed combustion process.

Environmental Waste Operations Center (EWOC) - Oak Ridge, TN
Specialties: Receipt and management of LLW waste streams; specializing in large component size/volume reduction, sort/segregation and Bulk Survey for Release (BSRF). EWOC is strategically located in the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) to receive your LLW by truck or rail.

Perma-Fix Florida (PFF) - Gainesville, FL
Specialties: Thermal and non-thermal treatment of low-level and mixed low-level waste by evaporation, vacuum thermal desorption, stabilization, sorting / segregation / repackaging, and macroencapsulation. PFF is also fully permitted to manage non-radioactive hazardous waste.

Perma-Fix Northwest (PFNW) - Richland, WA
Specialties: Thermal and non-thermal treatment and volume reduction of large volumes of low-level, mixed low level, and transuranic wastes.

Leverage Our Extensive Experience with Elemental Mercury Disposition

Mercury of various forms have been widely used throughout the U.S. and internationally, and to date, more than 600,000 pounds of this radioactive waste co-contaminated with mercury have been processed by one of Perma-Fix's many treatment technologies. Perma-Fix has implemented treatment solutions based on available and patented technologies to address these problematic wastes.

Perma-Fix provides effective treatment of radioactive-contaminated elemental mercury via amalgamation, the required treatment method for these wastes. Perma-Fix employs a patented amalgamation process using proprietary reagents that meet the EPA technology treatment standard (AMLGM). This process treats elemental mercury waste to meet the requirement of AMLGM using chemical reagents that bind the mercury and render it non-leachable. Mercury treatment is provided in a dedicated area of the facilities, with its own air handling and filtration system, for treatment of large volume, mercury contaminated wastes (elemental) using a proprietary amalgamation and stabilization process.

Two of our four facilities, Perma-Fix of Florida and Diversified Scientific Services, are licensed and permitted to receive, handle and store mercury for up to one year. With over $50 million of investment in facilities and technologies, Perma-Fix offers the most comprehensive low-level radioactive waste (LLW) and mixed low-level radioactive waste (MLLW) treatment facilities available in the U.S. Our experience, capacity, and regulatory compliance history set us apart in the industry. We are continually investing in new technologies to offer the most current state-of-the-art treatment options in the market.

Acceptable Mercury Wastes

• Wastes with soluble mercury (less than 260 ppm)
• Soils with high mercury levels (greater than 260 ppm)
• Wastes (non-soils) with high mercury levels (greater than 260 ppm)
• Elemental mercury

Perma-Fix is your solution for effectively disposing of hazardous mercury. Leveraging extensive experience and expertise, we are a leader in turnkey nuclear waste management and radiological protection services with core competencies that include waste management. We have completed over $2.2 billion in work since our inception in 1991. We have earned a reputation for providing practical, technical, and cost saving approaches to clients. We pride ourselves on supporting waste management, treatment, and disposal projects from initial characterization all the way through storage, final processing, and disposal. This approach has proven to have positive impacts for our clients and ensures mission completion through increased efficiencies while also minimizing liability with timely and compliant disposition of the most difficult waste challenges.