Evaluation of Technologies for Retrieval of Waste from Leaking Tanks
The US Department of Energy Environmental and Waste Management Tanks Focus Area selected as a strategic initiative the need to identify and develop technologies for remediation of tanks that are known or are suspected to leak. This investigation identified and evaluated technical options for single-shell tank waste retrieval applicable to retrieve waste from potentially leaking tanks. Technologies that minimize leakage use minimal water, and dry retrieval technologies were evaluated. Safety, cost, authorization basis, and schedule risks were identified for each technology to provide River Protection Program with information to evaluate technical and programmatic risk. A workshop was held to identify technology needs and solutions. These approaches grouped into five categories: those related to waste dislodging, waste conveyance, both waste dislodging and conveyance, the deployment platform, and technologies related to leak detection, monitoring, and mitigation. Based on the ranking, six technologies were selected as potential candidates for further evaluation. These items were prioritized into four technologies to recommend for further evaluation 1) Air assisted TORE(R). The TORE(R) produces a precessing vortex core with the ability to convey solids at pre-determined slurry concentrations over great distances. The dry TORE(R) concept uses air to develop the vortex to fluidize dry solids. The TORE(R)the solids in a slurry transport line. 2) Sonication for waste dislodging utilizes ultrasonic energy to fracture and dislodge hard waste types such as salt cake and sludge. 3) Novel long-reach manipulators concept is to investigate novel cost effective approaches for long-reach manipulator technology. 4) Next generation crawler technology envisions a non-umbilical dislodger, possibly radio controlled and powered remotely to provide a deployment platform not affected by path, or the need to retrace steps.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 15001173
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-13770; EY4049110; TRN: US0400127
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DETECTION
MANIPULATORS
MITIGATION
MONITORING
PROCESSING
SAFETY
SCHEDULES
TANKS
TRANSPORT
ULTRASONIC WAVES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE RETRIEVAL
WASTES
WATER
retrieval
leaking tanks
minimize water
sonication
ultrasonic dislodging
TORE
manipulator
non umbilical crawler