NSSI accepts a wide range of sources including transuranic sources and sources contained in gauges and other devices. NSSI can accept sources from both Texas and NonTexas Compact generators. NSSI services include storage, leak testing, transportation, and DOE/ OSRP source consolidation.
NSSI provides on-site services,
characterization, profile submittal,
transportation, storage, and disposal
for a broad range of LLRW and NORM
materials including petrochemical and
refining slide, pipe scale, and refractory.
Occupies approximately 5 acres with a
storage capacity of up to 4,000 drums.
NSSI currently holds two Texas Radioactive
Material Licenses (LO-2991 and RO-1811).
NSSI is a fully licensed Part B facility that accepts a full
spectrum of hazardous waste materials including
all D,F,P, U, and K hazardous waste codes.
The company has the capability to treat gases, liquid,
sludges, solids and soils along with mercury
contaminated substances and fluorescent tubes.
NSSI services and supports the government, industrial,
radiopharmaceutical, and education sectors.
NSSI is a fully licensed and permitted to accept, store, and treat
all mixed wastes including special nuclear materials.
Waste containing both radioactive and hazardous
constituents has been generated since the beginning of
the commercial nuclear industry. This waste has come
to be known as mixed waste. When the first Federal
regulations covering radioactivity were adopted, they
were intended to apply to all radioactive materials,
without consideration of other hazardous characteristics.
During the early 1980s, State and Federal agencies
began to question generators and site operators
regarding mixed wastes and compliance with the
requirements of RCRA. By 1985, as a result of public
and congressional attention, radioactive/hazardous
mixed wastes were addressed as a part of the LowLevel Radioactive Policy Amendments Act (LLRWPAA)
of 1985. In 1988, the EPA assumed regulatory control
of mixed waste storage and treatment facility (TSDF)
permitting. Mixed wastes are now subject to joint
control by the NRC/Agreement States and EPA.
TYPE OF MIXED LLW | POWER PLANTS |
LIQUID SCINTILLATION COCKTAILS OR FLUIDS | LABORATORY COUNTING PROCEDURES |
ORGANIC CHEMICALS | CLEANING OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT: CLEANING OF CONTAMINATED COMPONENTS |
TRASH WITH ORGANIC CHEMICALS | CONTAMINATED TRASH |
LEAD | CONTAMINATED DURING USE |
LEAD DECONTAMINATION SOLUTIONS | DECONTAMINATION OF LEAD SHIELDING |
WASTE OIL | OIL FROM RADIOACTIVE SYSTEMS & HOT SHOP |
TRASH WITH OIL | OIL FROM RADIOACTIVE SYSTEMS & HOT SHOP |
CHLOROFLUOROCARBON(CFC) SOLVENT | CLOTHES LAUNDRY |
CFC CONCENTRATES | CLOTHES LAUNDRY, TOOL DECONTAMINATION |
AQUEOUS CORROSIVE LIQUIDS | N/A |
CHROMATE WASTE | RESIN CHANGE OUTS |
CADMIUM WASTE | SPEND WELDING RODS, WELD CLEANING; EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION. |
NSSI accepts a full spectrum of hazardous and radioactive waste materials including all D, F, P, U and K hazardous waste codes and all radionuclides, including special nuclear materials. NSSI treats gases, liquids, solids, sludges, and soils. NSSI also accepts and treats recyclables, such as chlorofluorocarbons, solvents, mercury compounds, mercury contaminated substances and fluorescent tubes.
NSSI is unique in that the facility permits allow storage and treatment of RCRA hazardous, mixed hazardous/ radioactive and radioactive waste materials. NSSI operated as an interim status Waste Treatment and Storage facility from 1980 to 1990. NSSI subsequently submitted the required Part B application and received a final Part B permit in October, 1990. Permit modifications are requested on an ongoing basis as new treatment technologies are proven and commercialized and as additional facilities are needed.
Mixed waste generation studies have indicated that 3-10% of all Low Level Radioactive Waste is mixed waste containing both radioactive and chemical constituents. Mixed wastes are generated by many industrial, medical, and educational facilities.
NSSI conducts innovative research on tritium recovery methods that are robust, scalable and applicable to diverse sources including:
NSSI’s management, technical and operations experts are available to assist generators and service companies in the development of safe, secure and cost contained solutions to hazardous waste management problems. The NSSI waste management facility is permitted to treat wastes in portable equipment in segregated container storage areas.
The NSSI facility is permitted for storate and processing in 20 tanks with a total combined capacity of 58,530 gallons. An additional capacity of 180,793 gallons of container storage is provided in 5 container storage areas. NSSI provides temporary permitted storage services for generators of hazardous and radioactive waste.
NSSI provides customer site packing and labeling services and transport to the NSSI treatment facility. NSSI is available for emergency response for decontamination of chemical and nuclear material spills and for remediation services.
NSSI transports waste materials in its own vehicles in the immediate NSSI facility area. NSSI has arrangements with many other permitted waste transporters to transport waste to NSSI from generators outside the Houston area.
Radioactive or nuclear waste materials (i.e., waste material which emits ionizing radiation spontaneously) which also fit the acceptable waste descriptions above.
TYPE OF MIXED LLW | MEDICAL / CLINICAL & RESEARCH | UNIVERSITY & MEDICAL RESEARCH |
LIQUID SCINTILLATION COCKTAILS OR FLUIDS | LABORATORY COUNTING PROCEDURES | LABORATORY COUNTING PROCEDURES |
ORGANIC CHEMICALS | CLEANING OF PROCESS EQUIPMENT | CLEANING OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT |
TRASH WITH ORGANIC CHEMICALS | CONTAMINATED TRASH | CONTAMINATED TRASH |
LEAD | CONTAMINATED DURING USE | CONTAMINATED DURING USE |
LEAD DECONTAMINATION SOLUTIONS | N/A | N/A |
WASTE OIL | N/A | OIL FROM RADIOACTIVE SYSTEMS |
TRASH WITH OIL | OIL FROM CONTAMINATED EQUIPMENT | OIL FROM RADIOACTIVE SYSTEMS & HOT SHOP |
CHLOROFLUOROCARBON(CFC) SOLVENT | HPLC | HPLC |
CFC CONCENTRATES | N/A | N/A |
AQUEOUS CORROSIVE LIQUIDS | RESIDUE FROM RESEARCH | RESIDUE FROM RESEARCH |
CHROMATE WASTE | N/A | N/A |
CADMIUM WASTE | N/A | N/A |
NSSI has the specialized equipment and trained personnel to perform decontamination and facilities involving radioactive materials and NORM spills. Decontamination services are provided by an experienced health physics staff. In addition to the problems associated with actual cleanup, advice is available on possible legal implications and the handling of press releases and other public statements.
NSSI conducts surveys to ensure
compliance with federal and state
regulations relating to the use of machine
and radionuclide produced radiation.
Environmental monitoring as well
as measurements of radiation
levels in restricted areas ensures
that regulatory limits are met.
A variety of techniques are available
including TLD, instruments surveys, air
samplers, smear surveys, and bioassays.
NSSI stocks a complete inventory of radiation instruments, detectors, and accessory items including lead shields and bricks for resale.
NSSI offers comprehensive consulting services to fit the needs of all users of radioactive material and radiation producing machines. Consulting services include, but are not limited to, registration and licensing assistance, radiation handling procedures, radiation safety training for employees and supervisory personnel, facility design, and license termination. These services are performed under the supervision of qualified in house engineers and health physics personnel.
Specialized waste processing NSSI fabricates custom equipment such as tritium processors and vitrifications equipment for materials processing.
The application of radioactive tracers in industry are as diverse as industry itself. Radioisotopes allow the tracing of subsurface fluid flow, abrasion studies, corrosion evaluation, location of lines, line stoppage, as well as merriment of variation in density, and chemical content. NSSI provides a knowledgeable staff to plan, execute, and evaluate all phases to assure a successful tracer project.