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Headspace Gas Sampling of RH-TRU Waste Containers

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Technology
Summary Sheet

 

Tech ID: 1619
Project Overview
This TMS number covers two projects. The scope of the first project is to design, fabricate, and utilize a gas sampling system for 10 remote-handled transuranic (RH-TRU) canisters at LANL. Gas evolution rates will be measured and 'effective g values' will be determined. A determination will be made as to whether the waste meets transportation requirements and WIPP acceptance criteria. If one or more of the canisters cannot be shipped and disposed, a plan will be developed for repackaging or treating the waste to meet the current requirements. The second project focuses on quantifying initial hydrogen gas generation data for RH-TRU waste stored at the INEEL. One combustible drum and one noncombustible drum of characteristic, measured RH-TRU hot cell debris will be prepared in the ANL-E Alpha-Gamma Hot Cell Facility. Four sampling and analysis campaigns will be completed to determine characteristic gas generation information for this waste type. Additional data needed to support the determination of 'G' values, number of hydrogen molecules generated per 100 eV deposited, may be required. All data collected through these two test programs will be provided to Carlsbad for their review.

Technology Description
 To date, the DOE complex does not have any actual matrix depletion data from real waste materials in an RH-TRU environment (200 mR to 1000 R exposures). Los Alamos presently has seventeen shafts that contain characterized RH-TRU waste that has already been packaged (according to WIPP WAC 3) for eventual shipment to WIPP. One objective of this task is to obtain in-situ evolved gas samples for determination of hydrogen generation and matrix depletion from 10 of the 17 loaded TRU canisters using a shielded sampling apparatus. The waste materials in these canisters have been characterized and documented. By performing a headspace hydrogen gas analysis at prescribed intervals, gas generation data (H2 and VOC) can be provided to determine matrix depletion data that is representative of high-activity (> 200 mR) environments. An 'effective g value' will be calculated from the data generated in this study. Another objective is to fund work to provide initial hydrogen gas generation data for RH-TRU/MTRU waste. Hydrogen gas generation associated with RH-TRU waste may be different than CH-TRU waste due to the gamma radiation. Additional gamma radiation may initially increase hydrogen gas generation rates, but in the long-term may induce more matrix depletion. Enhanced matrix depletion may yield a lower gas generation rate for older waste. One combustible drum and one noncombustible drum of characteristic, measured RH-TRU hot cell debris will be prepared in the ANL-E Alpha-Gamma Hot Cell Facility (TTP# CH23MW51-Task C). Four sampling and analysis campaigns over an 8 month period, for each of the test drums, will then be completed to determine characteristic gas generation information for a unique content code waste stream. Additional data needed to support the determination of 'G' values, number of hydrogen molecules generated per 100 eV deposited, may be required. These data would be used to determine the number of moles of hydrogen generated. The requirements for this will be established in the test plan.

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