Studies of Transuranic Waste Storage under Conditions Expected in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Interim Summary Report, October 1, 1977-June 15, 1979

摘要

The major focus of the program has been on the gas generation potential of organic wastes produced by radiolytic and thermal degradation under simulated WIPP storage conditions. The effects of TRU contamination level, temperature, waste type, pressure, and exposure time on radiolysis are presented. In addition, results from preliminary experiments on processed sludge dewatering are discussed. A summary is presented here of the results of a detailed study of all retrievably stored TRU wastes present at LASL before January 1, 1978. The data indicate a gross volume for the LASL inventory of 1610 m exp 3 with a total weight of nearly 1.24 x 10 exp 6 kg (1240 metric tonnes). The dominant radionuclide contents of the waste are plutonium (primarily exp 238 Pu) and americium. (ERA citation 05:013159)