PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RETRIEVAL OF BURIED TRANSURANIC WASTE AT OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY*

摘要

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Accelerated Closure at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC (BJC) is remediating Solid Waste Storage Area (SWSA) 5 North. Remote-handled (RH) alpha-contaminated transuranic (TRU) waste was placed into 22 unlined trenches in SWSA 5 North between 1971 and 1981. The majority of the TRU waste was packaged in 204 concrete casks having one of several configurations. However, a number of the 22 trenches contain waste packaged in wooden boxes, metal boxes, and metal drums. At least two trenches are documented to contain loose materials placed into the trench with no indication of original packaging. One trench contains mixed Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) waste. The various containers and loose waste will be retrieved from the trenches, overpacked, and staged, pending treatment and final disposition. Initially, available information on the 22 trenches was integrated into requirements from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Record of Decision (ROD) and a consent agreement between DOE and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to develop the basis for a scope of work. A part of the scope, BJC’s remediation subcontractor was responsible for preparation of work control and safety basis documentation appropriate for conducting this work in a DOE Nuclear Facility. The TRU Waste Retrieval Project is being implemented in a phased manner, allowing low-risk preliminary work to be completed in parallel with the preparation and implementation of controls that will govern the higher risk retrieval and overpacking activities. This phased approach was used in developing work plans for specific tasks, with initial mobilization and site preparation activities being implemented while the documentation for subsequent tasks was being developed and approved. This approach contributes to the accelerated closure schedule, while allowing the project team to gain experience working together in a controlled environment and also incorporate information and lessons learned during early stages into subsequent project activities. The primary focus of this paper is on the planning and implementation of methods and controls that allow effective and efficient project execution while minimizing risks to the workers, public, and the environment. Waste retrieval will be performed inside a retrieval enclosure using commercial construction equipment adapted for the unique needs of the project. The retrieved waste will be packaged into steel overpacks and staged on site in preparation for processing and final disposal.