Perma-Fix Northwest Waste Processing Methods

The methods used for processing are:

An ongoing inspection program ensures that the material is handled in a manner that protects workers and the environment around the site. This includes checks for compliance with applicable state and federal requirements and regulations, the license, and procedures. Shipments that are coming from and going to Perma-Fix are inspected to assure that they comply with U.S. Department of Transportation rules and regulations.

Mixed Waste Non-Thermal Treatment

  • Inorganic debris and soils treatment and stabilization – size reduction, screening, and mixing with reagents (a substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances) followed by packaging for off-site disposal.
  • Inorganic liquid treatment – liquid consolidation, pre-treatment and stabilization.
  • Metals and bulk lead treatment – cutting, shearing, polymer mixing.
  • Solids and debris treatment – sorting, super-compacting, and enclosing the waste in Portland cement.

LLRW Non-Thermal Treatment

  • Dry active waste volume reduction – size sorting and segregation, in-container compaction, and super-compaction.
  • Metals decontamination – bulk decontamination conveyor and pipe decontamination tool (blasting unit to descale, remove radioactive residue and decontaminate small and large metal objects).

LLRW Thermal Treatment

  • Dry active waste and liquid volume reduction – bulk processing units (BPUs 1 & 2) heat the LLRW in a reduced oxygen atmosphere at 2,000 degrees F. The final product, an ash-like material, is packaged for off-site disposal.