A radioactive waste excavation at Mound Area 7 using INEL dig-face monitoring technology
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Dig-face characterization is a method to improve the safety and efficiency during hazardous waste retrieval. A dig-face characterization system consists of on-site hardware for collecting detailed information on the changing chemical, radiological, and physical conditions in the subsurface throughout a hazardous site excavation. The dig-face characterization concept originated at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory where it has been under development since 1992. In August 1995, a prototype dig-face system was taken to Mound Laboratory, Ohio, to monitor a hazardous waste site excavation. Mound Area 7 was the site of previous disposal of {sup 232}Th, {sup 227}Ac, and other waste. The dig-face characterization system was used to monitor a 20-ft x 20-ft x 5-ft-deep excavation intended to remove the {sup 227}Ac contaminated soils. Radiological, geophysical, and topographical sensors were scanned across each of four successive excavated soil levels, each 1-ft to 2-ft thick. The radiation sensors produced highly detailed images showing the location of the contaminants {sup 232}Th and {sup 227}Ac, and the clear delineation between them. When combined into a single data set, the four levels of collected data produced a three dimensional image of the contamination. The radiation sensor data indicated that only a small portion of the excavated soil was actually contaminated. The information produced by the dig-face system was used to direct precise excavation activities in the area containing the {sup 227}Ac and to plan subsequent removal of the separate {sup 232}Th plume.
- OSTI ID:
- 474035
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960804-Vol.2; TRN: 97:008786
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: SPECTRUM `96: international conference on nuclear and hazardous waste management, Seattle, WA (United States), 18-23 Aug 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the international topical meeting on nuclear and hazardous waste management (SPECTRM `96): Volume 2; PB: 875 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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