Exhaust Stack Monitoring Issues at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

摘要

This report outlines the problems of obtaining valid, representative samples of, and continuously monitoring for, radioactive particulates in the discharge air from the underground disposal facilities at WIPP. There appears to be serious problems with the presently installed systems. Chapter 1 of the report provides an overview of current perspective on the major issues. Principal conclusions of the overview are that the present sampling locations are not optimum for the intended purpose; that the chosen probe design is not capable of meeting requirements for delivery of a representative sample to the detectors; and that the proposed test plan for the flow conditioning and monitoring system is seriously flawed. Chapter 2 is a summary of the major findings and recommendations of a peer review. The review suggested that the proposed flow conditioning concepts were likely to be an unworkable substitute for having adequate duct length between major disturbances in flow and the sampling or monitoring locations; that the use of probes of simpler design with large diameter inlet nozzles feeding short transmission lines would provide superior performance; and that conditions for monitoring discharge air would be far better ahead of the collar in the exhaust shaft than any location downstream. Chapter 3 contains the detailed technical basis for a conceptual design, and a proposed sample extraction system for the stack discharge location. 36 refs., 23 figs., 4 tabs. (ERA citation 13:010968)