Waste Isolation Program. Monthly report

Technical Report · Wed May 31 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6646598· OSTI ID:6646598

Deju, R A

In February 1976, the US Energy Research and Development Administration expanded the commercial radioactive waste management programs and established the National Waste Terminal Storage Program. Its mission was to provide multiple facilities in various deep geologic formations within the United States. The Office of Waste Isolation was established within the Union Carbide Corporation-Nuclear Division to provide program management to the National Waste Terminal Storage Program. The overall program consisted of investigating a number of geologic rock types to determine their suitability for terminal storage of radioactive waste. Basalts, such as the Columbia Plateau basalts which underlie a large portion of the Pacific Northwest and the Hanford reservation, were selected for initial geologic reconnaissance. Atlantic Richfield Hanford Company was asked in May 1976 by the Office of Waste Isolation to plan and execute a basalt feasibility study. Geologic exploration of Columbia Plateau basalts was needed to determine the feasibility of utilizing those formations as a site for terminal storage of commercial nuclear waste. In September 1977, the National Waste Terminal Storage Program was restructured. While emphasis was still on a salt repository, additional funds were given to support investigations of two US Department of Energy sites (Hanford and Nevada). Rockwell Hanford Operations (successor to the Atlantic Richfield Hanford Company) established the Waste Isolation Program and chartered it with the responsibility for conducting the basalt feasibility studies. Rockwell Hanford Operations is the prime contractor responsible for the Hanford basalt studies. The program is divided into five projects: site studies; drilling; technology development; near-surface test facility; and repository. Accomplishments during the reporting period are presented for these five projects.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6646598
• Report Number(s): RHO-BWI-78-100-May; ON: DE84016180
• 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
BASALT
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
DRILLING
HANFORD RESERVATION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROLOGY
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROCKS
SITE SELECTION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES