Analysis of vapor samples from the Organice PISA high level waste tanks

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/756181· OSTI ID:756181

Swingle, II, R F

Analyses for organic materials in vapor samples taken from the eight High Level Waste tanks (26F, 33F, 46F, 11H, 22H, 32H, 39H, and 43H) have been completed. Of these tanks, 26F, 33F, and 43H are designated 'organic'' tanks. Samples were collected on solvent desorption (SD) tubes (containing activated charcoal) from various heights above the tank waste. Tank ventilation was stopped for one hour prior to sampling and was not reinitiated until sample collection was complete. The results indicate that the concentration of organic materials is extremely low in all samples. Some organic materials were found in the vapor samples but in nanogram/liter (ng/L) quantities. These materials were present in the samples within the practical quantitation limit (PQL), which represents a practical and routinely achievable detection limit with a relatively good certainty that any reported value is reliable. Because of the low levels and the fact that no field background analysis was run (laboratory background analyses were run), the researchers cannot absolutely determine whether the materials were actually taken from the waste tanks or whether they are from environmental background. In any case, the quantities of material found are several orders magnitude below that which would comprise a flammability concern.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 756181
• Report Number(s): WSRC-TR-2000-00090
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CHARCOAL
DESORPTION
FLAMMABILITY
GAS ANALYSIS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SAMPLING
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SENSITIVITY
SOLVENTS
STORAGE FACILITIES
TANKS
VENTILATION
WASTES