Status of tank assessment studies for continued in-tank storage of Hanford high-level defense waste

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6812007

DeFigh-Price, C; Mercier, P F

This report provides technical information on the status of an ongoing evaluation of underground waste tanks for continued storage of high-level radioactive waste at the Hanford Site. The initial status report was issued in September 1978. The data are generic to all of the underground, reinforced-concrete, single-shell waste storage tanks at Hanford and includes study results, evaluation methods and recommended storage improvements. An ongoing study assessment and classification of the waste tanks on a tank-by-tank basis for continued service is to be completed and reported in FY 1983. The data presented here have been examined in consideration of the conclusion stated in the initial report that the single-shell tanks will be serviceable for the storage of salt-cake waste for decades under currently established operating temperature and load limits. No change in that conclusion was indicated by the new data. Elevated temperatures continue to be the dominant factor in reducing concrete strength. While this could adversely affect the tank domes, causing sag and possible structural failure, results of elevated-temperature laboratory tests show that temperatures within the waste management standards have little effect on elastic and strength properties of concrete. A tank integrity evaluation plan was formulated based on sampling the concrete in a tank haunch, wall, and footing. A study of nondestructive methods for long-term surveillance of the tanks is being prepared for incorporation into the plan.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-77RL01030
• OSTI ID: 6812007
• Report Number(s): RHO-LD-142
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
054000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Health & Safety
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONCRETES
CONTAINERS
HANFORD RESERVATION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SOLID WASTES
STORAGE
SURVEILLANCE
TANKS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES