Hanford transuranic storage corrosion review
The rate of atmospheric corrosion of the transuranic (TRU) waste drums at the US Department of Energy's Hanford Project, near Richland, Washington, was evaluated by Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). The rate of corrosion is principally contingent upon the effects of humidity, airborne pollutants, and temperature. Results of the study indicate that actual penetration of barrels due to atmospheric corrosion will probably not occur within the 20-year specified recovery period. Several other US burial sites were surveyed, and it appears that there is sufficient uncertainty in the available data to prevent a clearcut statement of the corrosion rate at a specific site. Laboratory and site tests are recommended before any definite conclusions can be made. The corrosion potential at the Hanford TRU waste site could be reduced by a combination of changes in drum materials (for example, using galvanized barrels instead of the currently used mild steel barrels), environmental exposure conditions (for example, covering the barrels in one of numerous possible ways), and storage conditions (for example, separating the layers of barrels with slats of wood instead of sheets of plywood).
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 7086155
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-3365; TRN: 81-002530
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
CONTAINERS
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
HANFORD RESERVATION
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
STORAGE
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage