Case Study: Radioactive Waste Treatment.
Location: Various Clients.
Download: radioactive-waste-treatment.pdf

Brief

IKM Consulting was appointed by a North Sea oil producer to consider options for recommissioning a waste water treatment system at an oil terminal.

A biofiltration system consisting of two 10m high cylindrical concrete structures filled with plastic filter media had been used on site to polish off waste waters. The system had become partially blocked by radioactive oily sludge and scale. The radioactivity was due to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) which is often present in produced waters. The client was keen to find out whether it would be worth recommissioning the system or to replace it with a non-biological system.

Solution

IKM considered factors that may have led to the blockage and researched similar water treatment systems used elsewhere. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis to gain an understanding of their waste classification under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and Waste Management Regulations governing controlled waste. Selected industrial services providers were contacted to obtain an understanding of the methods available for the clean-up works and the disposal of materials, together with the associated costs.

An assessment of the short-term and longer-term options was undertaken and recommendations made to the client on the most effective way forward.

Outcome

The client was presented with a detailed options study providing an assessment of the suitability of each of the treatment options with approximate costs for the works required.