Calculational technique to predict combustible gas generation in sealed radioactive waste containers
Certain forms of nuclear waste, when subjected to ionizing radiation, produce combustible mixtures of gases. The production of these gases in sealed radioactive waste containers represents a significant safety concern for the handling, shipment and storage of waste. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) acted on this safety concern in September 1984 by publishing an information notice requiring waste generators to demonstrate, by tests or measurements, that combustible mixtures of gases are not present in radioactive waste shipments; otherwise the waste must be vented within 10 days of shipping. A task force, formed by the Edison Electric Institute to evaluate these NRC requirements, developed a calculational method to quantify hydrogen gas generation in sealed containers. This report presents the calculational method along with comparisons to actual measured hydrogen concentrations from EPICOR II liners, vented during their preparation for shipment. As a result of this, the NRC recently altered certain waste shipment Certificates-Of-Compliance to allow calculations, as well as tests and measurements, as acceptable means of determining combustible gas concentration. This modification was due in part to work described herein.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 5752666
- Report Number(s):
- GEND-041; ON: DE86011395
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
GAS PRODUCTION RATES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
CALCULATION METHODS
GASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEASURING METHODS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SAFETY
CONTAINMENT
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
RADIATIONS
STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
220900 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety