Enhancing Nuclear Laundry Operations with Hydro Reserve’s Advanced Water Treatment System

GOAL: Lower disposal costs and minimized environmental impact!

Case Study Details
Enhancing Nuclear Laundry Operations with Hydro Reserve's Advanced Water Treatment System

Enhancing Nuclear Laundry Operations

A prominent industrial laundry service specializing in the decontamination of protective clothing from nuclear facilities worldwide faced significant challenges in managing radioactive contaminants.

The primary objectives were to effectively remove radionuclides from garments, ensure the safe discharge of treated water, and manage radioactive waste disposal in a cost-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Enhancing Nuclear Laundry Operations with Hydro Reserve's Advanced Water Treatment System

Industry Context

The nuclear energy sector relies heavily on protective clothing to safeguard workers from radiation exposure. Proper laundering and decontamination of these garments are critical, as residual contamination can pose health risks.

Globally, nuclear power contributes approximately 9% of electricity generation, with about 440 reactors in operation. The management of radioactive waste and adherence to environmental regulations remain pivotal concerns within the industry.

Challenge

  • Effective Decontamination: Ensuring that protective clothing used in nuclear environments was thoroughly cleaned to meet safety standards.
  • Radioactive Waste Management: Safely separating and disposing of radioactive contaminants extracted during the laundering process.
  • Reduce Staff Labor in Decontamination: Conventional methods require significant labor to eliminate radionuclides in waste streams.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to stringent environmental regulations for water discharge, specifically obtaining and maintaining an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit.
    Enhancing Nuclear Laundry Operations with Hydro Reserve's Advanced Water Treatment System (2)

    Solution & Application

    Hydro Reserve’s advanced water treatment system provided an effective solution for the industrial laundry service, addressing the complex challenges of decontaminating nuclear protective clothing, managing radioactive waste, reducing manpower and complying with environmental regulations. This case underscores the importance of innovative technologies in enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in nuclear industry operations.

    System Results & Benefits

      • Enhanced Safety: Achieved complete decontamination of protective clothing, reducing potential radiation exposure risks.
      • Regulatory Compliance: Consistently met stringent NPDES permit requirements, ensuring environmentally safe water discharge.
      • Cost Efficiency: Reduced volumes of radioactive waste led to lower disposal costs and minimized environmental impact.
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        Project Details

        CLIENT

        Industrial Laundry Service

        GOALS

        Lower disposal costs and minimized environmental impact!

        Application

        • Initial Filtration: Removal of larger particulate matter from the wastewater. Laundry water presents unique challenges due to the fabric fibers which tend to clog filters. Specialized filters are used to prevent this.
        • Advanced Radionuclide Extraction: Application of specialized filters to capture radioactive isotopes.
        • Water Purification: Further treatment to ensure the water met environmental standards for discharge.
        • Concentrated Waste Handling: Collection and safe storage of the radioactive concentrate for appropriate disposal.
        Success Factors & Key Metrics

        Key Metrics: Hydro Reserve’s advanced water treatment system provided an effective solution for the industrial laundry service, addressing the complex challenges of decontaminating nuclear protective clothing, managing radioactive waste, reducing manpower and complying with environmental regulations. This case underscores the importance of innovative technologies in enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in nuclear industry operations.