Handling and Treatment of Sodium-Potassium Alloy (NaK) after the Loss of Key Personnel - 19002
- Idaho National Laboratory (United States)
In September 2010, during cleanup and removal efforts associated with a glovebox containing a sodium-potassium alloy (NaK) cooling system, a NaK reaction event occurred. Near the end of the evolution, which was at a Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) research facility at the Idaho National Laboratory, a 2 to 3-ounce sample of NaK was being transferred from a metal can to a polyethylene bottle so it could be sent to the disposal outlet for verification analysis. During the transfer, a reaction of the NaK with ambient air was observed in both the metal can and sample container. The potential for a reaction was identified during the planning of this activity and mitigating steps were included in the procedures. In response, the two containers were flooded with argon, closed, and observed overnight. No additional reaction was noted. The sample container and metal can were packaged into a 10-gallon drum and transferred to a permitted storage location pending disposal. While the other containers generated from the deactivation and decommissioning activity were sent off-site for disposal, the 10-gal drum remained due to concerns by a staff specialist that the material could contain potassium superoxide (KO{sub 2}) as a result of the reaction event. The intent at that time was to treat the NaK in a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-permitted treatment facility at MFC, instead of sending it off-site for disposal. The container was labeled, inspected, and managed as a hazardous waste. Due to the complexities associated with safely handling and treating NaK and KO{sub 2}, the container remained in storage. Treatment and disposal of the NaK and KO{sub 2} container was revisited in 2016, when researchers and chemists were consulted regarding the potential for superoxide formation and the best means to safely store and treat the container. The facility came to realize that due to the retirements of key personnel, it needed to provide current employees operational experience with the handling and treatment of NaK. An outside company was identified and contracted to provide training and consulting services. Several Battelle Energy Alliance, Inc. (BEA) personnel then attended an alkali metals safety training class. The training course provided participants with classroom and hands-on instruction associated with: - Hazards associated with handling and using sodium and NaK; - Proper personal protection equipment, spill control techniques, and first aid; - Common design approaches for buildings, systems, and equipment used to contain sodium and NaK; - What to expect in the event of a water reaction and how to respond; - How to properly prepare for a fire and contain/extinguish small metal fires; - A hands-on demonstration of NaK reaction and controls. Following the training, a procedure was developed to open the container, and inspect and treat the NaK. In June 2017, facility operations personnel successfully completed the inspection and treatment of the NaK drum, eliminating the legacy liability. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 23002841
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-21-WM-19002; TRN: US21V0959043174
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM2019: 45. Annual Waste Management Conference, Phoenix, AZ (United States), 3-7 Mar 2019; Other Information: Country of input: France; 3 refs.; available online at: https://www.xcdsystem.com/wmsym/2019/index.html
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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