Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Closure Report for Corrective211 Action Unit 198: Test Cell C Filter Tank Closure Nevada Test Site, Nevada

摘要

This closure report (CR) provides documentation for the closure of Corrective211u001eAction Unit (CAU) 198 identified in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent 211u001eOrder (FFACO). The site is located at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) Area 25 Test 211u001eCell C Complex (Figure 1). The CAU consists of one Corrective Action Site (CAS) 211u001e25-23-12 which includes two above ground radioactive wastewater filter tanks used 211u001eduring the Nuclear Furnace Testing at Test Cell C. The Test Cell C complex was 211u001eone of several facilities dedicated to the development of nuclear rocket 211u001etechnology. Test Cell C was designed to test nuclear rocket reactors. Part of the 211u001etesting program included Nuclear Furnace Tests. The Nuclear Furnace was a water-211u001emoderated, hydrogen-cooled, 44-megawatt reactor used to test fuel elements for 211u001ethe nuclear rocket engine. The Nuclear Furnace in itself was not a nuclear rocket 211u001eengine. During testing, hydrogen exited the reactor at a temperature of 2,440 211u001edegrees Kelvin. Water was injected into the gas stream to cool the hydrogen and 211u001ecapture the various radiological isotopes. Hydrogen gas effluent was 211u001edecontaminated through a multistage process before being burned at the Test Cell 211u001eC flare stack. A by-product of the decontamination process produced water 211u001econtaminated with mixed fission products. Prior to discharge to a tile drain 211u001esystem (CAU 267) the water was filtered through the two 2271-liters (600-gallon) 211u001efilter tanks (Department of Energy (DOE), 1998). Reactor development, engine 211u001etesting, and rocket development activities were ended in the early 1970s. The 211u001efilter tanks have remained inactive since that time. The site is currently roped 211u001eoff and posted with 'Caution Radiation Area' signs. The filter tanks were located 211u001eon the east side of Test Cell C, approximately 15.2 meters (50 feet) from the 211u001efacility fence line (Figure 2).