Detecting leaks from the Hanford single-shell tanks using electrical resistance tomography
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has used many large steel tanks for the storage of toxic and radioactive wastes. A decision has been made to remediate these tanks, but many are leaking and others are likely to start leaking during cleanup. A method is needed to detect the presence of such leaks and locate the leaks to assist in soil cleanup. Current methods of detecting leakage are not always satisfactory. Careful measurement of tank inventory is a simple method; however, the leak size is limited by complicating factors like temperature variations, and the method can be impractical if the tank contains both solid and liquids. Moisture, chemical, or radiological sensors can be placed beneath a tank to detect the effects of contamination in subsurface soils. However, in an inhomogeneous soil, plumes can be highly channeled, and these sensors can easily miss spills. Electrical resistance tomography was investigated to detect and locate leaks from Hanford single-shell tanks. Results are described.
- OSTI ID:
- 89011
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941102--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 71; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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