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

Sludge Handling System Conceptual Design Document

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/806888· OSTI ID:806888
Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) has been stored underwater in the K Basins for more than 40 years. Over time, corrosion products from the degrading fuel rods, storage rack dust, concrete from pool walls, and environmental particulate have accumulated as sludge on the floors and in the pits of the K Basins. Additional sludge will be generated during the handling and cleaning of the SNF canisters during fuel removal from the basins. The sludge is not regulated as a dangerous or hazardous waste, but it does meet the definition of waste regulated under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). This conceptual design document (CDD) presents the technical, cost, and schedule baselines for the Sludge Handling System (SHS), SNF Sub-project A.13(b). The SHS provides for the design and procurement of sludge containers, container overpacks, the transportation of filled containers, and receipt and storage of the sludge at T Plant. The sludge will be stored at T Plant until the method for treatment and disposal of remote-handled transuranic (RH-TRU) waste is determined. To optimize storage at T Plant, the sludge is divided into two streams. One stream is more reactive and will be stored under water. The second stream is less reactive and can be stored dry. Stainless steel vessels designed specially for this project will safely contain the sludge during transport and storage. The sludge containers will be transported to T Plant using the existing multi-canister overpack (MCO) cask and transporter. Upgrades to T Plant will provide two types of storage for the sludge containers. The T Plant pool cell will be upgraded with equipment and systems to store the more reactive waste stream. Select process cells will be fitted with equipment to hold the less reactive waste stream. Both types of storage will be designed to meet TSCA requirements. As a best-management practice, reasonable Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements also will be met. The nuclear safety analysis also designates some of the systems as Safety Class. All systems that will receive, unload, and store the sludge containers at T Plant will be designed for remote operation to limit worker exposure. This CDD validates that the SHS and components can be designed, fabricated, installed, tested, and verified ready for operation within the schedule and budget allotted.
Research Organization:
FDNW (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-96RL13200
OSTI ID:
806888
Report Number(s):
HNF-7639, Rev.0
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English