History of waste tank 21, 1961 through 1974

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6499044· OSTI ID:6499044

McNatt, F. G.

Tank 21 was placed in service in October 1961 receiving low heat waste (LW) from Tank 13. The tank was filled in December 1961 with additional LW from tank 11. Tank 21 has served as the evaporator feed tank since April 4, 1963, when the H-Area evaporator began operation. Tank 21 first received high heat waste (HW) in June 1964 and has stored both LW and HW since. In January 1971 an influx of slightly contaminated water in the bottom leak-detection sump was observed. The tank was inspected with an optical periscope and numerous tests and investigations were conducted but the source of the contaminated water was not determined. However, subsequent to this report period a D/sub 2/O tracer test provided conclusive evidence of communication between the tank vapor space and the bottom leak-detection sump. The D/sub 2/O tracer tests are documented in DPSPU 76-11-19. In 1970 loud popping detonations occurred while regasketing the 242-H evaporator feed jumper and smaller detonations occurred underfoot during entry into the feed jet pillbox. Investigation revealed the probable cause was silver nitride. Equipment was flushed with nitric acid to remove residual silver compounds and operating procedures were changed to eliminate addition of silver to waste tanks. No further detonations have occurred. Inspections of the tank interior were performed by direct observation and photography using a 40-foot optical periscope. Samples of sludge and supernate in the tank and liquid collected in the bottom leak detection sump were analyzed, and numerous temperature profiles were taken. Several equipment modifications and repairs were made. 21 figures, 10 tables.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Plant
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-09-0001
• OSTI ID: 6499044
• Report Number(s): DPSPU-78-11-10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CONTAINERS
DETONATIONS
INSPECTION
LEAKS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OPERATION
PNICTIDES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SILVER COMPOUNDS
SILVER NITRIDES
SLUDGES
STORAGE
TANKS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE