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At least 271 records · Page 15
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DOE OSTI2020

Preliminary Evaluation of Removing SNF from Nuclear Power Plant Sites - Pilgrim Site Visit - 20048

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Integrated Waste Management (DOE-IWM)a conducted an evaluation of removing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the Pilgrim site on November 4-8, 2019. The Pilgrim site is located on the western shore of Cape Cod Bay in the Town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 61 km southeast of Boston and 71 km east of Providence, Rhode Island. Participants in the site visit included the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the state of Massachusetts, the Federal Railroad Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Consolidated Group of Tribes and Organizations, the Council of State Governments-Eastern Regional Conference, the Pilgrim Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, and the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad. The Pilgrim site was found to have two transportation mode options for the removal of SNF, offsite rail access and onsite barge access. Two offsite heavy haul truck to rail transload locations were evaluated, one in Middleborough, Massachusetts, about 35-47 km from the Pilgrim site, and a second location in Middleborough about 36-43 km from the Pilgrim site. A passenger railroad terminates in Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 11 km from the Pilgrim site; however, this location is not suitable for freight rail involving large SNF transportation casks. There is also an onsite barge facility located on the Pilgrim site that was used during construction and would require refurbishment to be used. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Zero Valent Iron for Reductive Removal of Technetium-99 from Aqueous Sulfate Solutions - 20347

This research investigates the reductive removal of technetium-99 ({sup 99}Tc) by zero valent iron (ZVI) from low activity waste (LAW) off-gas condensate simulant as a secondary treatment after recovery from vitrification planned at the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Due to its high volatility, only a fraction of Tc{sup (VII)} will be incorporated into glass waste forms. Volatilized Tc will be captured by an off-gas treatment system with current plans to recycle off-gas condensate back to the vitrification facility. The scheme with off-gas recycling will increase Tc loading in the glass waste, but will also increase the concentrations of sulfate, halides, and other problematic constituents impeding overall LAW processing and increasing volume of the glass product. This study focuses on Tc{sup (VII)} removal by ZVI as a feasible pathway to minimize off-gas condensate recycling, which may result in a reduction in the volumes of LAW waste to be immobilized and subsequent cost savings. ZVI is an established treatment agent for redox-active contaminants such as trichloroethylene, nitrate, arsenic, chromium, phenol, and others. It is a commercially available and cost-effective material. Our previous experiments showed that ZVI is very efficient for the reductive removal of {sup 99}Tc. In this work we studied ZVI oxidation under aerobic conditions at pH 7 with 0.1 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} solution (ionic strength, IS, 0.3 M) in the presence and absence of {sup 99}Tc. The concentration of {sup 99}Tc and the changes in pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the simulated solutions were monitored over 8 days. The formation of iron oxide phases was probed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Obtained results suggest that ZVI contact time with {sup 99}Tc containing solutions for 6 hours resulted in nearly complete removal of {sup 99}Tc from the aqueous phase. XRD analysis showed that the oxidation of ZVI is rapid with formation of magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) with minor percentage of goethite and maghemite. This work is a part of a larger set of studies investigating the feasibility of {sup 99}Tc reductive removal from the LAW off-gas condensate. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Accelerated Aging and Evaluation of Hose-In-Hose Transfer Lines in the Hanford Waste Transfer System - 20312

Nonmetallic materials are used in the United States Department of Energy's Hanford Site Tank Farm waste transfer system. These materials include the inner primary hoses in the hose-in-hose transfer lines (HIHTLs), Garlock{sup R} gaskets, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) O-rings, and other nonmetallic materials. These nonmetallic materials are exposed to β and γ radiation, caustic solutions as well as high temperature and pressure stressors. How the nonmetallic components react to each of these stressors individually has been well established. However, simultaneous exposure of these stressors has not been evaluated and is of great concern to Hanford Site engineers. Florida International University's Applied Research Center engineers worked closely with key Hanford's Washington River Protection Solutions personnel to develop an experimental test plan that determines how these nonmetallic components react to various simultaneous stressor exposures. In this paper, research on the experimental testing of the hose-in-hose transfer lines used in the Hanford tank farm waste transfer system under simultaneous stressor exposures is presented. The stressor exposure experiments consisted of various combinations of simultaneous stressor exposure of caustic solution, high temperature and high pressure stressors. Research efforts focused on evaluating the aging behavior of EPDM by exposing samples of HIHTLs as well as EPDM dog bone shaped specimens to a 25% NaOH solution at (38 deg. C), operating (54 deg. C) and design temperatures (77 deg. C) for 6 months and 12 months. In addition, HIHTL and the EPDM dog-bone specimens were exposed to only hot water at 77 deg. C for a duration of one year. The mechanical and material properties of the samples were characterized and compared with those of the unexposed samples (baseline). Evaluations included burst pressure tests of the EPDM hose-in-hose transfer lines and material tensile strength test of EPDM dog-bone coupons. Both the tensile strength of the EPDM material dog bones and the burst pressure of the HIHTLs significantly decreased with the increasing temperature and increasing exposure time. When compared with the baseline samples, the burst pressure decreased by 28.75% for the sample aged at 77 deg. C after 12 months, in comparison to sample aged at 38 deg. C and 54 deg. C which had about 1.34% and 5.70% loss in burst pressures, respectively, after 12-month exposure. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Accelerating Hanford Site Cleanup through Operations Research Modeling - 20238

The Hanford Site cleanup effort will require the integration of dozens of unique facilities and processes, many of which will be first-of-a-kind in implementation and design. Each facility will be governed by its own set of operating logic, configured with a unique array of unit operations, and subject to a set of constraints that will affect its behavior. The collection of facilities have multiple points of interface, making the operations of any one facility potentially significant to the operations of other up- or downstream processes. It is therefore highly desirable to accurately predict these operations, as it allows for Site officials to identify and preempt bottlenecks and vulnerabilities before they unexpectedly inhibit the cleanup mission. With the quantity and complexity of the processes that will be on Site, building a pen-and-paper or even a spreadsheet-assisted model of the cleanup mission quickly becomes overwhelming in scope and inaccurate in execution. The Engineering organization for the Site's Tank Operations Contract (TOC) has therefore implemented the use of operations research (OR) modeling to simulate and predict future operations of Site facilities. These models are created using a discrete event simulation tool that allows for the development of detailed, versatile, and robust models. Not only can these models account for complex logical behaviors, but they can also simulate process details down to the level of vessel sizing, labor utilization, equipment reliability, and resource availability. To date, the TOC has developed OR models for several facilities on Site, including for single-shell tank (SST) farms, double-shell tank (DST) farms, the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), and the waste transfer system. These models have focused on identifying bottlenecks and operational constraints, and have been used to quantify the effects of implementing process changes. This latter point is particularly valuable, as it allows for several alternatives to be studied in a virtual setting before committing resources to making a change in the field. The decision to develop OR models has gained tremendous support from the Site's stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) management, and has prompted the use of the tool to support additional internal and external initiatives. Recently, an initiative was proposed to use the models to help identify and provide quantitative backing for risks and opportunities for the TOC. This application of OR could not only help inform how the TOC manages its risks (e.g. quantities and types of spare parts), but could also help drive process improvements whose benefits might otherwise be hard to quantify. The models have also been used to drive the TOC's cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) initiatives. These initiatives will not only improve the ability of the TOC to more rapidly respond to the needs of its customers, but it will also aid in the ability of the TOC to analyze and improve the processes it studies. Partnership with two external software development and consulting companies (Lanner and Ynformed) has furthered not only the application of AI and ML within the TOC, but has also spurred the development of new/improved software tools and platforms used by the companies. These partnerships have proven to be mutually beneficial and productive, and have set a precedent for the types of gains that can be made by exploring such options. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Risk to Ecological Resources on Burial Waste Sites on the Hanford Site, Washington - 20248

The US and other nations have a large nuclear and chemical waste remediation task remaining from World War II, the Cold War, and industrial activities. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has the largest task in the U.S., with Hanford (Washington State) being the most contaminated site, with the longest and most costly cleanup program projected to extend to the end of the century. One of the greatest remediation problems at Hanford are the burial waste facilities, some of which are inside the 200 Areas on the Central Plateau, while others are outside the 200 Areas. These areas are associated with waste sites, pipes, and contaminated trenches, posing technical cleanup challenges to meet DoE's remediation goals, including protection of human health and the environment commensurate with Tri- Party Agreement and current regulatory requirements. In this paper we select one of the legacy waste sites (the BC Cribs and Trenches) as a case study to explore how risk to ecological resources varies during and as a consequence of remediation on sites primarily considered legacy waste sites. We used the risk methodology developed by the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP) during the Hanford Site-wide Risk Review. The CRESP methodology included evaluating the risk to receptors, including human health, the Columbia River, groundwater, and ecological and cultural resources. The risk evaluation process for ecological receptors included defining the boundaries of each evaluation unit (EU) to be remediated, definition of a suitable buffer area that might be affected, and consideration of the known resource value based on field work. This information, coupled with known remediation options or strategies, allowed us to develop a risk rating for ecological resources. Site risks were evaluated on a scale of 'not discernible' to 'very high' risk. Consideration of the risks at the buried waste sites was complicated by uncertainties in remediation methods and the degree of restoration that would occur as part of the remediation process. We use the BC Cribs and Trenches as a case study to explore why the risks are low currently but increase during remediation. The current 'not discernible to low' risk rating is due to the lack of high quality ecological resources on the BC Cribs and Trenches EU, except for edge areas (with some state-listed species). During remediation the risks increase to 'medium', mainly due to high quality resources on adjacent buffer lands, which could be disrupted during active remediation. Medium and high quality resources on the edge of the site are continuous with higher quality native shrub-steppe habitat on the buffer. Ecological resources on some of the areas surrounding the 200 East and West Areas are some of the highest quality shrub-steppe areas on the Hanford Site, and risk to these resources could be prevented by planning before and during remediation to minimize disruption. For example, lay down areas for the BC Cribs and Trenches can be minimized by careful planning. Heavy truck and other vehicular traffic can be minimized. Spread of the noxious weeds now on some of the site can be prevented, and the spread of invasive species into the site (particularly near undisturbed shrub-steppe habitat) can be reduced. Further, the areas around and between the 200 East and West Areas have been largely undisturbed and can serve as a source of seeds and propagules for any revegetation that occurs as part of the remediation process. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act Title II DOE Due Diligence and Lessons Learned from a Previous Site Transfer - 20352

Title II of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) established that a government agency will provide perpetual care for closed uranium and thorium ore-processing sites that were operating under an NRC source material license in 1978 or were licensed thereafter. Commercial owners (licensees) operating under an NRC or agreement state specific license when UMTRCA was passed are responsible for conducting reclamation of any byproduct material remaining from uranium-ore processing operations in accordance with an NRC or agreement state approved reclamation plan. Reclamation includes both surface and groundwater remedies. Upon completion of reclamation and approval by NRC, the site is required to be transferred to either the host state or the DOE for long-term surveillance and maintenance. Since UMTRCA's enactment, six Title II sites have been transferred to DOE; an additional 24 Title II sites are anticipated to be transferred before 2050. DoE's role mandated under UMTRCA Title II as the long-term care custodian is to perform 'monitoring, maintenance, and emergency measures necessary to protect the public health and safety.' UMTRCA requires that the licensee pay a long-term surveillance charge 'sufficient to cover the annual costs of site surveillance.' However, at some sites such as the Bluewater, New Mexico, Disposal Site, this mandate has required additional effort and expense by DOE, beyond the originally anticipated and intended scope within UMTRCA, but within the authority of DOE under UMTRCA. In 1997, the Bluewater site became the second UMTRCA Title II site to be transferred to DOE. The site was the location of a uranium mill operated from 1953 until 1982. The specific licensee began site reclamation in 1991, and by 1995 all tailings and contaminated materials were encapsulated in two tailings disposal cells and other disposal areas. In addition to surface contamination, milling activities impacted groundwater in the two upper aquifers. In 1989, the specific licensee attempted active groundwater remediation; however, no significant reduction in contaminant concentrations was observed. As a result, the specific licensee applied to NRC for alternate concentration limits (ACLs) in 1990, which were approved in 1996 as being protective, after additional corrective actions were performed. Since transfer of the Bluewater site to DOE, unforeseen challenges have occurred, requiring additional actions. The first challenge is the occurrence of surface depressions located on the northern section of the main tailings disposal cell. The depressions were first observed during DoE's initial inspection in 1998; however, evidence of these can be observed on satellite images taken prior to transfer. Since being first observed, the depressions have continued to grow both in depth and areal extent. Due to the design of the main tailings disposal cell, the depressions impede storm water from being effectively shed off the 101- hectare (250-acre) top slope of the main tailings disposal cell. Instead, storm water accumulates in the depressions, forming a large ephemeral pond that has stored up to 16.3 x 10{sup 6} liters (4.3 million gallons) of stormwater. The ponding poses a potential risk to the integrity of the main tailings disposal cell in the case of a large storm event, with the potential to cause the pond to overtop and erode the cover material and underlying waste. DOE has taken a number of short-term actions to monitor, measure, and reduce the ponding and is currently working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to design and construct a repair. Additional challenges are associated with groundwater at the Bluewater site. Nine wells were present on the 1335-hectare (3300-acre) site upon transfer. Groundwater compliance was called into question after the State of New Mexico reduced its uranium groundwater standard from 5.0 to 0.03 milligrams per liter in 2004, and when an ACL for uranium was exceeded in a site monitoring well in 2010. Acquiring historical groundwater data and subsequent evaluations as well as additional DOE groundwater monitoring led to installing 10 new monitoring wells and performing additional site hydrogeology recharacterization. DOE continues to evaluate groundwater conditions at the site and works with the NRC to determine regulatory requirements and a path forward. As a result of lessons learned at the Bluewater site and other Title II sites, improved processes have been implemented at a programmatic level to increase due diligence before site transfer and prevent similar issues from occurring at other UMTRCA Title II sites under long-term management. DoE's due diligence process is documented in the Process for Transition of UMTRCA Title II Disposal Sites to DOE for Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance and is designed to ensure that DOE has no technical or compliance concerns with regulatory decisions that might compromise protectiveness following site transfer to DOE. Implementation of the due diligence process has increased DoE's role prior to site transfer and has been effective in identifying potential issues. Actions by NRC and specific licensees, in response to enhanced due diligence efforts by DOE, are expected to minimize, if not totally prevent, the need for unanticipated actions by DOE pertaining to the surface and groundwater remedies after site transfer. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Remote Radiation Sensing Using Aerial and Ground Platforms

Remote sensing of ionizing radiation has a significant role in waste management, nuclear material management and nonproliferation, and radiation safety. Robotic platforms can surpass the number of tasks that are achieved by humans. With this technique, the operator's radiation exposure can be decreased. Remote sensing allows for the evaluation and monitoring of radiological contamination. Gamma-ray and neutron sensors were integrated onto the robotic platforms. This approach allows for the radiation sensor data to be dynamically tracked and mapped thus enabling further analysis of the radiation flux in temporal and spatial domains. The goal is to complete scheduled tasks while the robot is being irradiated. To achieve this, electronic components must be shielded and radiation hardened. CZT Detector: Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detector technology has been a promising solution for gamma-ray and x-ray measurements. Detector data is transferred to the Odroid minicomputer that controls and powers the module via the USB. Robot Operating System (ROS) was utilized for data acquisition and data fusion. The Mariscotti method was employed for the spectrum analysis. A function was programmed in ROS for the automatic identification of photopeaks. CLYC Detector: A Cs{sub 2}LiYCl{sub 6}:Ce{sup 3+} (CLYC) detector was used for simultaneous medium-resolution gamma-ray measurements and neutron counting. A 2.54 cm diameter photomultiplier tube (PMT) was equipped with a high voltage supply and a miniature digitizer. Gamma-ray excitation: fast core-to-valence luminescence (CVL) with 1 ns decay constant, and prompt Ce{sup 3+} emission with 50 ns decay constant. Neutron excitation: slow cerium self-trapped excitation (Ce{sup 3+} STE), 1000 ns decay constant. Radiation Source Localization: Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) and gradient-based methods were used to locate the position of a radiation source based on measured radiation intensities. Multi-Particle Transport Code FLUKA: Estimation of radiation damage of the electronic components is important in order to optimize the robot's operational time while it is irradiated. Displacement per atom (DPA) represents the radiation damage in materials exposed to the ionizing radiation. Various shielding layers of different thickness t were analyzed (< 5% statistical error). The model of the controller of the UAS was designed in FLUKA. Conclusion: CZT and CLYC detectors were integrated onto the robotic platforms. Radiation source localization and contour mapping using robotic platforms were studied. Functions for data analysis and fusion were developed in ROS. FLUKA code was utilized to analyze DPA values. Layers of low-density and high-density materials were used to shield the UAS electronics.

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DOE OSTI2020

Waste Management Project Success - Regulatory Assurance Systems - 20118

Waste management (WM) and remediation projects are essential within a restorative environmental culture. Despite years of experience, challenges and obstacles associated with efficient and effective WM project execution remain. Although some obstacles are project specific, a common challenge is navigating the regulatory landscape from planning through execution, particularly with first of a kind (FOAK) and first in a while (FIAW) projects. The absence of a comprehensive regulatory assurance strategy places significant hurdles in the path of project success. To clear a path for the successful execution of increasingly complex WM projects, this paper focuses on development of a comprehensive regulatory assurance strategy and implementation plan that effectively engages stakeholders, agencies, and performers to produce project plans that fully and cost effectively integrate applicable regulatory requirements. The most reliable way to align regulatory processes and decisions needed for mission success is through a regulatory assurance system. This system establishes a healthy interface with regulatory decision makers, to work in a collaborative manner, to create a common vision for regulatory decisions on an agreed upon schedule. A regulatory assurance system consists of several elements. Although the mission may vary from cleanup to site closure to nuclear component production, the elements of a regulatory assurance system remain essentially constant and must include: 1) identifying a common vision or end state, 2) developing a long-term, integrated strategy and schedule, 3) establishing a regulatory partnering team consisting of key decision-makers, 4) regular and frequent communication with decision-makers, 5) ensuring consistent surveillance for early identification of issues and changes that may impact the project, 6) quick resolution of emerging issues to prevent schedule impact, 7) identifying core compliance functions, 8) periodically assessing progress of the project as it relates to regulatory assurance and, 9) providing constructive feedback to improve the process. A regulatory assurance system provides a living, multi-faceted approach to planning, visioning, communicating and tracking to avoid surprises and ensure smooth and timely progress to the project. The overall success measures will be whether the system produces common sense regulatory decisions supporting the vision on time without appeal. Effective regulatory frameworks rarely happen on their own. Balanced, common-sense regulatory decisions stem from teams that are trained to work together to achieve shared goals. In this paper, particular attention is placed on the importance of starting with a shared vision for a regulatory assurance and execution strategy that leverages experience to establish optimal approaches. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Use of an Alternative Conceptual Model of Vadose Zone Heterogeneity to Evaluate Past Tank Leaks and Other Unplanned Releases within a Tank Farm at the Hanford Site - 20061

Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) requested that U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-Office of River Protection (ORP) consider an evaluation of effects of fine-grained thin sediment layers on transport with a separate alternative conceptual model in its evaluation of the potential impact of tank leaks and other unplanned releases within the tank farm at the Hanford Site. For this alternative model, Ecology recommended that the model be developed based on the general framework of fine-grained units identified by a stakeholder group in their interpretations of variability in moisture content data collected in the vicinity of Waste Management Area (WMA) C. In discussions with DOE-ORP, Ecology acknowledged that the underlying data and interpretations of the occurrence and lateral continuity of the fine-grained thin layers identified by a stakeholder group are uncertain. However, DOE-ORP agreed to Ecology's recommendation and has provided support for the requested evaluation that involved development of an alternative model based on the general framework of the unpublished report by the stakeholder. DOE-ORP considered this evaluation to be a hypothetical evaluation of vadose zone heterogeneities at WMA C. General observations from the range of simulation cases examined in the evaluation of the effects of hypothetical vadose zone heterogeneities at WMA C are as follows. - The movement of the center of mass of the simulated plumes was generally vertically downward below the source for all simulations, including those that incorporated the hypothetical fine-grained units. - All simulations that incorporated hypothetical heterogeneity produced additional plume spreading over what was produced in simulations using Equivalent Homogeneous Media (EHM) model(s)a. The spreading resulted in a broadening of the fringes of the plume, resulting in a wider region of low concentration, but lower peak concentrations associated with the center of mass of the plume. - Simulations that used the silty-sand hydraulic properties, suggested by Ecology for the hypothetical fine-grained units, generally produced similar spreading and slightly lower peak mass flux at the water table when compared to the EHM modeling results. a The EHM-based models used at WMA C do not explicitly include small-scale fine-grained heterogeneities used in the model advocated by Ecology. - Simulations that used the silty-sand hydraulic properties, suggested by Ecology for the hypothetical fine-grained units, generally produced less spreading and an earlier arrival of mass flux at the water table when compared to the use of another set of hydraulic properties from a silty-sand sample collected at a nearby disposal facility. - The EHM representation of the vadose zone generally produced higher peak mass flux and an earlier occurrence of peak fluxes at the water table compared to all analyses incorporating additional hypothetical heterogeneity. Results of this alternative model evaluation of past leaks provided some insight into the transport effects of vadose zone heterogeneities at WMA C that helped resolve Ecology's comments and issues related to the effects of vadose zone heterogeneities on past leaks and losses from the WMA C tank farms area. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Proposed Analytical Methods for Determining Filter Media Properties

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, commonly used in nuclear filtration applications, are an integral part of the waste management processes in nuclear plants. HEPA filters are 99.97% efficient filtration devices characterized by their high resistance to air flow, or pressure drop. From theoretical models, the initial pressure drop across a clean filter is proven to be a function of the filter media fiber diameters and porosity of the media. These filter properties are relatively difficult to obtain with traditional manual methods; therefore, there is a need to develop analytical methods to find the fiber diameter and porosity to determine the pressure drop. Typically, these values can be found by substituting a calculated representative value based upon measured values, such as equivalent fiber diameter based upon a clean pressure drop. However, these values may also be directly recorded and measured by incorporating Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image analysis and other measurement methods to analyze the filter media and determine its physical properties without the need for media testing. DiameterJ, an open source Java plug-in, used with ImageJ, can process images of filter media taken by an SEM to find statistical data such as mean fiber diameter and porosity. To produce the raw data, SEM images of two filter media type samples are taken and segmented in DiameterJ using the traditional and statistical region merging segmentation algorithms. Manual segmentation is necessary after the initial segmentation by the algorithms as the images tend to be too complex for the algorithms to output with the necessary accuracy. However, complications exist in the manual segmentation process as these methods can be time intensive and prone to the individual bias of the user. This in turn can skew the final mean fiber diameter result, and lead to either an over or under prediction of the pressure drop. It was also discovered that the porosity data produced by DiameterJ is inaccurate, as the SEM analyzes the three-dimensional filter media by projecting its geometry onto a plane and analyzing it as a two-dimensional binary image. Thus, the porosity is artificially inflated through the segmentation process, rendering this result incorrect. Alternatively, density determination, gravimetric analysis, and thickness testing of the filter media is collectively used to determine the filter fiber porosity. Together, the SEM image analysis and analytical lab methods produce results through direct measurements which allow for the prediction of the initial pressure drop from clean filter media without the need for prior media testing to collect pressure data. By improving upon this proposed analytical method in the future, there is potential to streamline the process of finding these filter properties into a more direct methodology for determining the pressure drop across HEPA filters.

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DOE OSTI2023

Assessment of Baseline Monitoring Data for the Remote-Handled Low-Level Waste Disposal Facility at Idaho National Laboratory

The purpose of this document is to summarize environmental monitoring data collected at the Remote-Handled Low-Level Waste (RHLLW) Disposal Facility during the first four years of facility operations (FY 2019 through FY 2022). This summary provides a “baseline” condition for the facility, which can be used to distinguish contaminant releases from the RHLLW Disposal Facility from pre existing contamination as well as potential future releases from other sources (i.e., upgradient aquifer sources), as specified in the facility monitoring plan. Sufficient data has been collected over the first four years of operation of the RHLLW Disposal Facility to establish baseline conditions for future compliance monitoring of aquifer wells and performance monitoring of vadose zone lysimeters. Except for seven elevated tritium measurements from lysimeter HFEF-South believed to have been impacted by waste disposals, all data was deemed appropriate for establishing baseline concentrations. Monitoring of the aquifer detected indicator analytes gross alpha and gross beta and target analytes tritium and C-14. There were a few C-14 detections prior to an increase in the required detection level (RDL) after the first round of sampling. I-129 and Tc-99 were not detected above RDLs in aquifer samples. Lysimeter samples detected indicator analytes gross alpha and gross beta and target analyte tritium. Target analytes C-14, I-129, and Tc-99 were not detected above RDLs in lysimeter samples. Except for tritium, baseline concentrations of indicator and target analytes measured during the first four years of RHLLW facility operations are expected to represent conditions through the expected 20 year operating period of the facility. Elevated tritium in the aquifer, a result of past discharges of tritium at upgradient facilities, showed a decline over the first four years of operations, and levels are expected to continue to decline with time as a result of dilution and decay. Current tritium levels in lysimeter samples may be elevated due to tritium in the water applied during construction and infiltration testing of the facility. As a result, tritium concentrations in lysimeters may decline with time as a result of dilution and decay. Statistical measures (i.e., mean, standard deviation, and 99% upper confidence level [UCL]) were calculated for all detected analytes using the four years of concentration data. These measures will be used to evaluate future monitoring results and to demonstrate the facility is performing, or not performing, as established in the facility performance assessment (PA). Future monitoring results will also be combined with the baseline data in this report to further establish temporal trends and natural variability in the measurements. Based on the data collected during the baseline period, it is recommended the gross alpha action level for performance monitoring increase from 10 to 20 pCi/L due to several baseline measurements exceeding the preliminary action level of 10. An action level of 20 pCi/L is slightly greater than the 99% UCL, is protective of the aquifer, and would reduce unnecessary sampling. It is also recommended that tritium be added to the lysimeter analyte list for post-baseline period monitoring. Tritium, while not a dose concern, is a good tracer that can provide valuable information on water flow in and around the RHLLW Disposal Facility. Recommendations for a tritium action level are provided if considered necessary.

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DOE OSTI2020

Amplicon Sequencing Assessment to Measure Microbial Community Response from Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils in Savannah River site, Tims Branch watershed

Long-term presence of heavy metal contamination in soils is correlated with changes in microbial community structures and can lead to the reduction of indigenous species. Tolerance to soil heavy metal toxicity varies among different microbial communities. It remains unclear whether long term effects caused by metal perturbations are associated with soil microbial community dysregulation in Tims Branch watershed. Research Questions: Does heavy metal contamination in Tims Branch soils decrease microbial species diversity significantly compared to non-contaminated soils? Does the species richness decrease in contaminated samples? between samples? Is diversity in low, mid and high contamination soils significantly different compared to control samples? Hypothesis: The relative abundance and diversity of species are significantly altered in soils which are contaminated with heavy metals in the Tims Branch watershed. Objectives: Use amplicon sequencing technology along with bioinformatics to compare bacterial communities between four sites in Tims Branch watershed. Evaluate the percent relative abundance and diversity across the site. Conclusions: All bacterial communities exposed to different heavy metal concentrations were dominated by four major groups (Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Verrucomicrobia). The dominant phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi accounted for 61 % of the relative abundance. Soil bacterial α-diversity, expressed as observed species richness metric and Shannon's diversity index, was the highest in sample location four (high contamination). The lowest observed was at the control location. Species richness increased when concentrations of heavy metals were localized, inferring that the metals can alter microbial community structure. PERMANOVA analysis between contaminated groups tested significant using the Adonis (F (4,29) =1.9712; p < 0.001). There is a 20 percent variation explained between groups (R2 = 0.214). This analysis proves to be beneficial in detecting microbial communities altered by contaminated soils. Moreover, certain concentrations of heavy metals can alter microbial community structures.

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 100: An Integrated Systems-Based Monitoring Approach

This panel focused on recent advancements in monitoring and remaining challenges associated with the implementing cost-effective monitoring approaches for complex DOE sites. Monitoring presents one of the largest, long-term costs for environmental remediation and site stewardship within the DOE because contamination at complex sites will likely be present for tens to hundreds of years into the future. Integration of monitoring with predictive modeling is an approach that can reduce long-term monitoring costs as well as support the effective monitoring design and data interpretation for managing a site toward closure and long-term stewardship. Panelists with presentations: Autonomous Electrical Geophysical Monitoring of Contaminated Sites (Tim Johnson); Systems Based Long-Term Monitoring for DOE Legacy Management (David Shafer); Long-Term Systems Based Monitoring (Anderson Ward)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 115: Collaboration Across Borders to Deliver Cleanup and Decommissioning Challenges

This panel focused on where multiple countries have collaborated to solve difficult remediation and cleanup challenges through either formal or informal means. The focus was to share real examples of where collaboration has accelerated cleanup saving time and money. This could be through policy or process improvements, technology transfer or sharing R and D, or other means of collaborative efforts. Panelists with presentations: Canada-AECL Collaboration Across Borders (Richard Sexton, Alastair MacDonald); Collaboration Across Borders to Deliver Cleanup and Decommissioning Challenges (Anthony Banford); IAEA Perspective on International Collaboration in D and ER (Horst Monken Fernandes); How, Why and Benefits of Collaboration (Kurt Gerdes)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 133: Integrating Economic Redevelopment and Workforce Transition Into DOE Site Closure Planning (R1.18)

This panel focused on post-closure impacts to the long-term site workforce and communities in DoE's approach to accelerated site cleanup and expedited reduction of long-term financial liabilities. At sites where Cold-War workers shifted from weapons production to the cleanup effort, a more holistic approach to the workforce transition Post-EM cleanup is needed. This holistic approach would include incentives for expedited closure, trade re-training, and a vision for future site commercial activities. The panel discussed the importance of the right workforce incentives that includes appropriate training for displaced workers so that they can be integrated into a next job. A key aspect of this discussion was to re-assess the current and future land use opportunities related to land re-use concepts. By re-arranging cleanup sequencing is it possible to divest land sooner than originally projected for productive commercial use hence reducing the DOE long-term liability and consequently increasing an economic soft landing for those Cold-War workers. Panelists with presentations: Integrating Economic Redevelopment and Workforce Transition Into DOE Site Closure Planning (Sean Todd); Sustaining, Growing and Re-Developing DOD/DOD Facilities and Assets (Jonathan Taylor)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 3: Prospects for Shared Solutions for Solving the WM Challenges for Small and Emerging Nuclear Countries

This panel focused on sharing WM solutions for small and emerging nuclear countries. As countries with substantial inventories of spent nuclear fuel pursue their national repository programs with varying degrees of progress, countries with only a few reactors and those at the beginning stages of their nuclear programs face a far different and substantial challenge toward developing a national solution. This session brought together a panel of experts from government and industry to explore shared solutions and next steps building off the recent progress made by international organizations and the recent efforts and lessons learned. Panelists with presentations: The Rationale for a Multinational Repository (Sean Tyson); Perspectives on the Future of the Multi-National Repository Concept (Alan Brownstein); Why Would any Country Accept Foreign Spent Nuclear Fuel? (Charles McCombie); Dual Track Strategy for Small Countries (Leon Kegel)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 68: Key EFCOG Actions: Risk Communication, Supply Chain Management, Human Capital and More

Overview on the Energy Facility Contractor Group's (EFCOG) most recent work in partnership with DOE to improve performance and EFCOG's mission is to ensure safety, security, and quality across the US DOE complex. Best practices were highlighted in discussions with US DOE/ NNSA leaders and key project executives. EFCOG's key priorities for 2020 were featured in the panel discussions to include: addressing human capital issues to ensure future mission needs can be met; addressing supply chain issues for nuclear projects; improving the data quality and performance assurance; and improving risk communication and stakeholder relations. EFCOG accomplishes its mission through working groups that provide forums to address common challenges and exchange proven techniques and other management and technical information among member contractors. Panelists with presentations: WM EFCOG Panel Slides (Morgan Smith); EFCOG DOE Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) - Enabling The DOE Mission - (Darrell Graddy); Data Quality and Performance Assurance (JD Dowell); Risk Communication - Different Events - Very Different Responses from the Community (Rick McLeod); Current State of Cybersecurity (Liz Porter)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 94: US DOE Procurement Opportunities and End-State Contracting Model Status

This panel focused on DoE's procurement implementation strategy and planned activities for its first-tier contractors (Tier 1 procurements). This panel also focused on the implementation status of DoE's End State Contracting Model, which uses a single-award ID/IQ approach to give DOE flexibility to better define discrete scopes of work for site closure or end states. The panelists provided their prospective on progress toward the implementation of this new approach, lessons learned and the path forward for upcoming opportunities utilizing this contracting model. Panelists with presentations: EFCOG (Billy Morrison); DOE Procurement Opportunities - 4 Ways for Small Business Participation (Anne Marie Bird); US DOE Procurement and Contracting Opportunities (Aaron Deckard)

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