Viscous liquid barrier demonstration at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Linac Isotope Producer
Groundwater monitoring has detected tritium ({sup 3}H) and {sup 22}Na contamination down gradient from the Brookhaven LINAC Isotope Producer (BLIP), located at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Site characterization studies indicate that the BLIP is the source of contamination. The highest measured values for {sup 3}H were 52,400 pCi/L recorded less than 100 feet south (down gradient) of the BLIP facility. The BLIP produces radioisotopes that are crucial in nuclear medicine for both research and clinical use. The BLIP also supports research on diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. During operation a proton beam impinges a target (typically salts encapsulated in stainless steel) to produce the required radioisotopes. The proton beam is completely absorbed prior to reaching the soils surrounding the target shaft. However, secondary neutrons are produced that reach the soil causing activation products to form. Among the longer-lived isotopes of concern are tritium and {sup 22}Na. Both of these isotopes have the potential to negatively impact the groundwater below the BLIP. Several corrective actions have been implemented at the BLIP facility in response to tritium detection in the groundwater. The first actions were to improve surface water management (e.g. storm water down spouts) and the installation of a gunite cap around the BLIP facility. These measures are designed to minimize water flow through the activated soils in the vicinity of BLIP. In conjunction with these improvements, BNL is installing a close-proximity subsurface barrier in the activated soils beneath the BLIP facility. The barrier will prevent water migration through the activated soil zone as well as prevent activation product migration out of the zone. To minimize impacts on the operation of the BLIP requires in-situ barrier installation using low energy techniques that will not disturb the alignment of the BLIP or nearby accelerator beams. BNL chose an innovative barrier technology termed Viscous Liquid Barrier (VLB). This technology was developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with funding from the US Department of Energy (EM-50). It uses low-pressure permeation grouting to deliver a colloidal-silica grout to the subsurface. The grout gels in place forming a barrier to liquid movement. MSE Technologies Applications (MSE-TA) has been tasked with designing, installing and verifying the barrier. This paper will discuss the problem faced at BLIP and detail the design and proposed installation of the VLB at the site.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/EM-50 (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 757136
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-67336; EW4040500; R&D Project: 4120; EW4040500; TRN: US0003369
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WASTE MANAGEMENT 2K, Tucson, AZ (US), 02/27/2000--03/02/2000; Other Information: PBD: 27 Feb 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The Use of Subsurface Barriers to Support Treatment of Metals and Reduce the Flux of Tritium to Fourmile Branch at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina - 13358
THE MECHANICAL AND SHIELDING DESIGN OF A PORTABLE SPECTROMETER AND BEAM DUMP ASSEMBLY AT BNLS ACCELERATOR TEST FACILITY.