Criticality assessment of LLRWDF closure
During the operation of the Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility (LLRWDF), large amounts (greater than 100 kg) of enriched uranium (EU) were buried. This EU came primarily from the closing and decontamination of the Naval Fuels Facility in the time period from 1987--1989. Waste Management Operations (WMO) procedures were used to keep the EU boxes separated to prevent possible criticality during normal operation. Closure of the LLRWDF is currently being planned, and waste stabilization by Dynamic Compaction (DC) is proposed. Dynamic compaction will crush the containers in the LLRWDF and result in changes in their geometry. Research of the LLRWDF operations and record keeping practices have shown that the EU contents of trenches are known, but details of the arrangement of the contents cannot be proven. Reviews of the trench contents, combined with analysis of potential critical configurations, revealed that some portions of the LLRWDF can be expected to be free of criticality concerns while other sections have credible probabilities for the assembly of a critical mass, even in the uncompacted configuration. This will have an impact on the closure options and which trenches can be compacted.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- OSTI ID:
- 7092492
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-RP-92-974; ON: DE93006887
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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The Mixed Waste Management Facility closure and expansion at the Savannah River Site
The Mixed Waste Management Facility closure and expansion at the Savannah River Site
Related Subjects
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
COMPACTING
GROUND DISPOSAL
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
CONTAINERS
CONTAINMENT
DECONTAMINATION
INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SAFETY
URANIUM
ACTINIDES
CLEANING
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage