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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Contact-handled transuranic waste mock retrieval demonstration: Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6709286

This report documents the results of the Contact-Handled Transuranic (CH TRU) Waste Mock Retrieval Demonstration which was conducted at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Successful completion of the demonstration using mock (non-radioactive) waste packages is a prerequisite to the receipt of actual CH TRU waste. The demonstration was witnessed by members of the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) of the State of New Mexico. The demonstration was completed in Room 1 of Panel 1 of the WIPP underground storage area. This area was configured to simulate in-situ storage conditions projected to be encountered late in the retrieval period. The retrieval period extends for 10 years beyond the Operations Demonstration period which is up to five years in duration. At the conclusion of the Operations Demonstration, a declaration would be made regarding whether or not WIPP should become a permanent TRU disposal facility. Even though salt creep in the storage area is not projected to contact the waste stack, as a worst-case scenario, the demonstration included retrieval techniques which would be employed should stack contamination be encountered. A Contamination Control Barrier was installed upstream of the demonstration waste stack. This barrier incorporated a pass-through system which was used to overpack simulated contaminated waste package. The demonstration confirmed the acceptability of WIPP operational procedures, personnel, equipment, and techniques. Further, extrapolation of the operating time line data developed during this demonstration has confirmed that in-room retrieval of up to 930,000 ft/sup 3/ of CH TRU waste can be completed within applicable radiological and time constraints. 6 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Carlsbad, NM (USA). Waste Isolation Div.
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-86AL31950
OSTI ID:
6709286
Report Number(s):
DOE/WIPP-88-006; ON: DE89002763
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English