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Title: Application of intrinsic germanium spectral gamma-ray logging for characterization of high-level nuclear waste tank leaks

Abstract

Spectral gamma-ray logging with a high-resolution, intrinsic germanium logging system was completed in boreholes surrounding two high-level nuclear waste tanks at the US Department of Energy`s Hanford Site. The purpose was to characterize the concentrations of man-made radionuclides in the unsaturated zone sediments and identify any new leaks from the tanks. An intrinsic germanium detection system was used for this work because it was important to positively identify the specific radionuclides and to precisely assay those radionuclides. The spectral gamma log data were processed and displayed as log plots for each individual borehole and as three-dimensional plots of {sup 137}Cs radionuclide concentrations. These data were reviewed to identify the sources of the contamination. The investigation did not uncover a new or active leak from either of the tanks. Most of the contamination found could be related to known pipeline leaks, to surface contamination from aboveground liquid spills, or to leaks from other tanks. The current spectral gamma ray data now provide a new baseline from which to compare future log data and identify any changes in the radioelement concentration.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
10113364
Report Number(s):
WHC-SA-2172
ON: DE94004480; BR: 35AF11201/35AF11202; TRN: 94:002027
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-87RL10930
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Nov 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; HANFORD RESERVATION; GAMMA LOGGING; RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES; LEAK TESTING; CESIUM 137; RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; 052002; 053002; 540230; WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE; RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT

Citation Formats

Brodeur, J.R., Kiesler, J.P., Kos, S.E., Koizumi, C.J., Nicaise, W.F., and Price, R.K. Application of intrinsic germanium spectral gamma-ray logging for characterization of high-level nuclear waste tank leaks. United States: N. p., 1993. Web. doi:10.2172/10113364.
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Brodeur, J.R., Kiesler, J.P., Kos, S.E., Koizumi, C.J., Nicaise, W.F., & Price, R.K. Application of intrinsic germanium spectral gamma-ray logging for characterization of high-level nuclear waste tank leaks. United States. doi:10.2172/10113364.
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Brodeur, J.R., Kiesler, J.P., Kos, S.E., Koizumi, C.J., Nicaise, W.F., and Price, R.K. Mon . "Application of intrinsic germanium spectral gamma-ray logging for characterization of high-level nuclear waste tank leaks". United States. doi:10.2172/10113364. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10113364.
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@article{osti_10113364,
title = {Application of intrinsic germanium spectral gamma-ray logging for characterization of high-level nuclear waste tank leaks},
author = {Brodeur, J.R. and Kiesler, J.P. and Kos, S.E. and Koizumi, C.J. and Nicaise, W.F. and Price, R.K.},
abstractNote = {Spectral gamma-ray logging with a high-resolution, intrinsic germanium logging system was completed in boreholes surrounding two high-level nuclear waste tanks at the US Department of Energy`s Hanford Site. The purpose was to characterize the concentrations of man-made radionuclides in the unsaturated zone sediments and identify any new leaks from the tanks. An intrinsic germanium detection system was used for this work because it was important to positively identify the specific radionuclides and to precisely assay those radionuclides. The spectral gamma log data were processed and displayed as log plots for each individual borehole and as three-dimensional plots of {sup 137}Cs radionuclide concentrations. These data were reviewed to identify the sources of the contamination. The investigation did not uncover a new or active leak from either of the tanks. Most of the contamination found could be related to known pipeline leaks, to surface contamination from aboveground liquid spills, or to leaks from other tanks. The current spectral gamma ray data now provide a new baseline from which to compare future log data and identify any changes in the radioelement concentration.},
doi = {10.2172/10113364},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/10113364
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