KE BASIN SLUDGE CONSOLIDATION PROCESS DESCRIPTION
Spent nuclear fuel in canisters has been stored under water in the K-reactor fuel storage basins (K Basins) for more than 40 years. Over time, corrosion products from the degrading fuel rods, storage rack rust, concrete from pool walls, and environmental particulates have accumulated as sludge in fuel canisters, on the floors, and in the pits of the K Basins. The spent nuclear fuel and sludge release soluble fission products into the basin water. The potential exists for basin water and/or sludge to leak into the environment because of the age and condition of the basins. This potential hazard provides the impetus for removing spent nuclear fuel and sludge from the basins as soon as possible. The Fuel Transfer System (FTS) is moving the K East (KE) fuel canisters to K West (KW) for packing in multi-canister overpacks (MCOs). The KE sludge has two disposition paths; the sludge in the North Loadout pit (NLOP) will be transferred in large diameter sludge containers (LDCs) to the 325 Building for treatment as contact-handled transuranic (CH-TRU) waste and the remainder of the sludge will he consolidated in a liner(s) in KE for future treatment. Sludge containerization was directed by the U. S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (RL) (Klein 2003) and allows decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) activities to progress. This document identifies process requirements, assumptions, functions, and recommends architecture to complete KE sludge consolidation. Included are a process description and potential risks and interfaces to be managed at KE to consolidate the sludge. The following design concept was selected based on the process requirements, functions, and assumptions developed. Three pit locations (both Tech View pit channels and the Weasel pit) were selected to receive a rigid liner to consolidate the sludge. A fourth location (the Weasel pit channel) was identified as contingency volume pending detail design of the liners. Rigid and free-standing pit liners were selected so the liners do not interface with the pits walls and potentially compromise the safety function of the pit walls. The sludge will be retrieved using a combination of portable Tri-Nuclear pump(s) and (once NLOP work is completed) the Sludge and Water System (SWS) equipment. A screen/strainer will be used to remove particles greater than 114 in. from the sludge and this larger material will be moved to the dummy elevator pit for the FTS to transfer to KW for disposition. Sludge consolidation is expected to require the addition of flocculants to aid in its settling and support hash water quality requirements. The flocculants will be added and mixed with the sludge just prior to its discharge into the liners. Discharging to multiple liner locations will be used to reduce velocities and therefore improve settling. Programmatic risks were identified for the sludge consolidation and the following near-term actions are recommended: Confirm that the design concept is consistent with the current Authorization Basis; Confirm flocculant addition conditions and rates; Define end points (or how clean is clean); and Develop an integrated schedule for KE Basin, including resources and floor space needs.
- Research Organization:
- Fluor Hanford, Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-96RL13200
- OSTI ID:
- 821385
- Report Number(s):
- SNF-19690, Rev.0; DE-AC06-96RL13200; TRN: US0400752
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 11 Feb 2004
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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