Evaluation of Technologies for Retrieval of Waste from Leaking Tanks

Bamberger, Judith A. ; Hatchell, Brian K. ; Lewis, Benjamin E. ; Randolph, John D. ; Killough, Stephen M.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Processing;    Wastes;    Schedules;    Tanks;    12 Management Of Radioactive Wastes, And Non-Radioactive Wastes From Nuclear Facilities;   

DOI  :  10.2172/15001173
RP-ID  :  PNNL-13770
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  15001173

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

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.