Characterization, monitoring and sensor technology program: Technology solutions and remaining DOE characterization problems
- BDM Federal, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD (United States)
- Dept. of Energy, Germantown, MD (United States)
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is required to characterize approximately 3,700 contaminated sites, 1.5 million barrels of stored waste, 385,000m{sup 3} of high-level radioactive waste in tanks, and between 1,700 and 7,000 facilities before site remediation, waste treatment, and facility deactivation and decontamination (D&D) operations commence. DOE has spent billions of dollars for site and waste characterization activities. To reduce these costs innovative characterization technologies are being developed to address five major problem areas: (1) mixed waste treatment, (2) facility D&D, (3) mapping and treatment of contaminant plumes in soil and groundwater, (4) landfill stabilization, retrieval and remediation, and (5) retrieval and treatment of high-level radioactive waste from underground storage tanks. The Office of Science and Technology within DOE`s Office of Environmental Management (DOE/EM) has focused on these problems and has created organizations known as Focus Areas to address technology development for each of these problem areas. Described below are: the need for innovative technologies accepted by users and regulators; the Characterization, Monitoring and Sensor Technology Crosscutting Program (CMST-CP) within DOE`s Office of Science and Technology (OST); a portfolio of characterization technologies developed by DOE/OST; and DOE characterization problems still requiring technology development. This CMST-CP description includes the program`s: mission, collaborations with technology development and technology user groups, process for helping Focus Areas define technology development needs, and peer review process for selecting new projects and reviewing on-going projects. The section on characterization and monitoring technologies contains examples of some innovative technologies, and the problems they address. The last section details characterization needs requiring additional technology development identified by the five Focus Area organizations.
- OSTI ID:
- 469800
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960804--Vol.1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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