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Remediation of Five Underground Storage Tanks at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | LaForest, James R. Provost, Christopher A. Barger, Kelly L. |
| Copyright Year | 2001 |
| Abstract | This paper presents a case study in the removal of partially solidified mixed waste from underground storage tanks. CDM Federal transferred low-level radioactive waste from five aging, at-risk, underground storage tanks to an active waste management system at Department of Energy facilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee. Technology originally designed for use in the mining industry and operated by specifically designed computer-controlled operating systems, was used to flush the sludge and liquid from the tanks, allowing the waste to be transferred to safe storage. There were two primary challenges to completing this project. First, the high level of radioactivity (approximately 30,000 curies) necessitated the use of remotely operated equipment, which required extensive "cold" testing as well as operator training. Second, the nature of the waste occurring in both liquid and solid phases necessitated a sluicing system capable of reaching all areas of the tank with enough water pressure to dislodge and resuspend the sludge. These challenges were primarily met by modifying a sluicing arm and nozzle known as a Borehole Miner. The Borehole Miner, originally developed and used by the mining industry, delivered a high-pressure jet spray capable of dislodging the sludge using an extendable and remotely controlled nozzle capable of being directed to reach any portion of the tank. A system of remotely operated submersible, centrifugal, and positive displacement pumps recycled the tanks contents through the nozzle until an appropriate slurry was obtained. These systems were operated remotely by linking key components of the system through a programmable logic controller into a human/machine interface software system. Sensors and video cameras allowed constant monitoring of system functions as well providing real-time data. Through the use of the modified Borehole Miner and other system components, the radiological waste was successfully suspended and transferred to safe storage facilities. The work was performed in a safe manner and all project milestones and objectives were met. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.wmsym.org/2001/43B/43B-18.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
