WVNS experiences in the detection, monitoring, and leakage from underground tanks containing contaminated kerosene/TBP

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5138415

Valenti, P J; McVay, C W; Bourgeois, P

Tanks of radioactively contaminated kerosene/tributyl phosphate (TBP) disposed of at West Valley in 1969, when the plant was being utilized to reprocess commercial nuclear fuel, were determined to be leaking. Contaminated kerosene/TBP was initially detected in November 1983 when samples taken from US Geological Survey monitor wells tested positively for both radioactive and organic constituents. An extensive monitoring, sampling, and analysis program, which involved the installation of approx. 100 monitor points, core bores, and scavenger wells, has been in effect since November 1983 when the migrating kerosene/TBP was initially discovered. Sample analysis has served to provide data on the radionuclide concentration as the kerosene/TBP migrates through the soil. Recent acquisition of a portable gas chromatograph is expected to yield even more definitive information on migration rates. Removal of organics from the scavenger wells will continue while more permanent control measures are finalized. The current efforts will involve the installation of a support structure, erection of a light-weight reusable weather shelter, excavation and potential removal of the tanks and contents, as well as packaging and/or otherwise stabilizing of the resulting waste. The significance of this project is that it will provide a data base for future work in former radioactive disposal sites. A discussion of the monitoring, sampling, and analysis is provided in conjunction with the stabilization efforts.

• OSTI ID: 5138415
• Report Number(s): CONF-860610-Summs.
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 52; Conference: American Nuclear Society annual meeting, Reno, NV, USA, 15 Jun 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
KEROSENE
LEAKS
MONITORING
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
TBP
WEST VALLEY PROCESSING PLANT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
CONTAINERS
DETECTION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
ION EXCHANGE
NITRIC ACID
NUCLEAR FUELS
PACKAGING
PLUTONIUM
PUREX PROCESS
REPROCESSING
SAMPLING
URANIUM
US DOE
US GS
ACTINIDES
BUTYL PHOSPHATES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
ESTERS
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LIQUID FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR MATERIALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US DOI
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing