Job Description:

• 1) Controls heat exchange unit, pumps, compressors, and related equipment to decontaminate, neutralize, and dispose of radioactive waste liquids collected from chemical processing operations: Removes sample of liquid from collection tank, using pipette.

• 2) Pours sample into dish and bakes dish under heat lamp to evaporate water, leaving radioactive residue.

• 3) Tests residue with Geiger counter and compares reading with chart to determine whether radioactivity level is within prescribed safety limits.

• 4) Determines degree of acidity or alkalinity in liquid, using pH meter, and adds acid or alkali to neutralize liquid.

• 5) Starts pump and admits waste liquid into sewer for disposal or into storage tanks for evaporation, according to degree of radioactivity.

• 6) Transfers radioactive waste liquid from storage tanks to heat exchange unit.

• 7) Operates heat evaporation system to reduce volume of liquid, and observes gauges and adjusts controls during process to maintain steam pressure, temperature, and liquid at specified levels.

• 8) Starts compressed-air pump to blow slurry on bottom of evaporator into lead container for permanent storage.

• 9) Records data, such as number of gallons of waste pumped into sewer system or storage tanks, or reduced by heat exchange unit, and radioactivity levels.

• 10) May monitor panelboard to control operation of recovery systems that store or dispose of radioactive waste and be designated Nuclear-Waste-Process Operator.