Regional WS on Development of National Policy

& Strategy for RWM in line with the IAEA (Vienna, 24-28 March 2014)

The Syrian Experience in Treatment of NORM

Waste

Lina Al Attar Head of Waste Management Division

Department of Protection & Safety

AECS, P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria

lalattar@aec.org.sy

Outlines

Source of NORM wastes.

Remediation projects.

Regulatory Authority (RNRO).

National Policy.

Provision & Prospective.

Sources & types of NORM waste in Syria….

Phosphate Fertilizer Plant

(Phosphogypsum piles)

NORM wastes generated by Oil & Gas industries

(Co-produced water, Sludge, Scales & Contaminated

soil, contaminated equipment).

PG is a by-product from the P-

fertilizer industry.

In Syria, P-fertilizer production

took place in1980’s, with ca.

720×103 ton y-1 (ca. 30 M tonne).

Lined PG piles

Since 1995, PG is stored as

open stacks in a large plastic

lined pit nearby Qattina Lake in

HOMS city.

Phosphate industry: phosphogypsum

Phosphogypsum in Syria and the World :Characteristics &

Beneficial Utilizations. (2011)M. Al-Oudat, L. Al Attar, S. Kanakri

Sources & types of NORM waste in Syria ….

Oil is one of the main

contributors to the Syrian

economy, with daily

production of 300×103

barrels, in 2010.

There are six oil shared-

companies, with the

major platform for

exploration & production

facilities located in the

North-east of Syria.

Production water & Sludge

Discharge of oil co-produced

water into the environment or

lagoons generated large volume

of 226Ra-contaminated soil.

disposal of co-produced water

Sludge, is an oily sediment, that

is produced during cleaning

separators, storage tanks &

equipments. Uncontrolled disposal of sludge

Remediation projects….

People’s concern has been

raised towards the

contaminated environment as

over 200,000 m3 of

contaminated soil was

recognized.

Since 1998, the AECS & oil

companies for the treatment of

NORM waste. This enabled

implementation of remediation

projects for sludge & low-level 226Ra-contaminated soil.

Objectives of Remediation Projects

Minimising risks to vicinity ecosystem, workers and the public.

Minimizing potential existing and future environment liabilities.

Comply with the International Standards & local Regulations.

National Radioactive Authority (AECS)

RNRO

Setting Regulations,

Regulating NDF,

Licensing

RWM

Radioactive Waste

Management Division

Legislative Decree No. 64,

Prime Minister Decree

No. 134 (2007).

Article 66: Releasing NORM into the Environment

Article 67: Storage of NORM contaminated

equipments and waste (sludge and scales, PG piles)

Article 68: Reuse of NORM contaminated

equipments and waste.

Article 69: Remediation of NORM

National Waste Management Strategy/Policy….cont.

Land farming:

DEZPC Steam separation:

AFPC

There are approved methods

for disposal of sludge

(based on activity concentration)

Remediation of sludge & contaminated soil….cont.

Disposal landfill

DEZPC/AFPC

Disposal landfill

Scales…. Scales (containing NORM) are a major problem in the oil industry,

restricted production (plugging pipes, tubular & vales) & lead to costly

remediation and disposal programmes.

Operating installations & equipments have to be frequently

decontaminated.

Recently, a research programme was commenced to treat & manage

scales produced from the petroleum industry and kept in an interim

storage at the NDF, with an estimate over 60 tonnes.

What to do & How ?????

There is no

regulatory

approved method

for disposal, as yet

National Policy

Develop a suitable NORM

waste management

strategy???

Scale characterisation…

Chemical hazard

Characterisations

Radiochemical

Scrap NORM wastes

Contaminated equipments are

stored in NORM yards with

restricted access…

Dismantling, melting & recycling

will be an option for NORM scrap..

NORM yards

Contaminated equipments

Final NORM Disposal Option

Requires stabilisation of NORM wastes (e.g. cement)

Emplacement into drums that imply with international

standards….

This option may be the preferable in Syria if all oil & gas

companies are enforced to be involved.

Near surface repository

storage

IAEA TC projects & IAEA Networks

National Policy & Strategy for radioactive waste management,

including DSRS, has to be consolidated.

Infrastructure of RWM has to be formulated…

Syria to take a leading role in the Middle East region for NORM

waste management.

Learning from Worldwide Experience & Combining

our Creativity…………….