Web-Based Data Management System for Long-Term Performance Monitoring and Stewardship of a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility

Author(s):  
Craig H. Benson ◽  
Robert J. Tipton ◽  
Uday Kumthekar ◽  
J. D. Chiou

A web-based data management system is described that is being used for long-term performance monitoring and stewardship of a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility (LLRWDF) at the Fernald Closure Project (FCP) in Fernald, Ohio, USA. The system provides integrated data collection and management for monitoring performance of the liner and cover systems in the LLRWDF. Integrated performance monitoring data (meteorological, hydrological, geophysical, ecological, leachate flow, and leachate quality data) are presented and compared with performance criteria and action levels in near real-time. A status summary is also included for the site manager, regulators, and other stakeholders to provide an early warning regarding the need for corrective action.

Author(s):  
Wim Cool ◽  
Elise Vermariën ◽  
William Wacquier ◽  
Janez Perko

ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, and its partners have developed long-term safety and performance analyses in the framework of the license application for a surface disposal facility for low level radioactive waste (category A waste) at Dessel, Belgium. This paper focusses on the methodology of the safety assessments and on key results from the application of this methodology. An overview is given (1) of the performance analyses for the containment safety function of the disposal system and (2) of the radiological impact analyses confirming that radiological impacts are below applicable reference values and constraints and leading to radiological criteria for the waste and the facility. In this discussion, multiple indicators for performance and safety are used to illustrate the multi-faceted nature of long-term performance and safety of the surface disposal. This contributes to the multiple lines of reasoning for confidence building that a positive decision to proceed to the next stage of construction is justified.


1989 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise J. Criscenti ◽  
R. Jeff Serne

ABSTRACTThe chemical behavior of cement in the natural environment is of interest because cement has been suggested as a means of containing low-level radioactive waste and as a barrier between radioactive-waste containers and the surrounding soil or rock. In the past, either experiments or computer modeling have been used independently to predict how cement will leach in the natural environment. In this study, a geochemical model for cement leaching was developed, and predictions by the model were compared to results from a static leach test. Calcium concentrations and pH were adequately predicted by the model; however, other major leachate constituents, such as Al, Si, and S04, were poorly predicted. Additional experimental data and refinement of the model are both required to better predict the observed leachate concentrations. Accurate prediction of experimental results by a geochemical model would increase confidence in the model for use in long-term performance assessment.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 2539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushik Biswas ◽  
Rohit Jogineedi ◽  
Andre Desjarlais

This article describes an aging study of a foam-vacuum insulation panel (VIP) composite insulation board installed on a test wall in a natural exposure test facility through a 30-month period. Silica-based VIPs with a polymeric barrier film were used in this study. The study results showed the effectiveness of a VIP-based insulation to reduce the heat gains and losses through a wall compared to regular rigid foam insulation of the same thickness. However, the long-term performance monitoring indicated a gradual decline in the thermal performance of the foam-VIP composite. In addition, one-dimensional numerical models were created to simulate the in situ behavior of the foam-VIP composite. One model utilized constant thermal conductivities of the test wall components and another utilized temperature-dependent thermal conductivities; the latter used measurements of conductivity over temperatures ranging from −15 to 55 °C. The results of the simulations emphasized the need to use both temperature and time-dependent material properties for accurately predicting the long-term performance of VIP-based insulation systems.


1984 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Mackenzie ◽  
R. E. Barletta ◽  
J. F. Smalley ◽  
C. R. Kempf ◽  
R. E. Davis

AbstractThe Sheffield low-level radioactive waste disposal site, which ceased operation in 1978, has been the focus of modeling efforts by the NRC for the purpose of predicting long-term site behavior. To provide the NRC with information required for its modeling effort, a study to define the source term for tritium in eight trenches at the Sheffield site has been undertaken. Tritium is of special interest since significant concentrations of the isotope have been found in groundwater samples taken at the site and at locations outside the original site boundary. Previous estimates of tritium site inventory at Sheffield are in wide disagreement. In this study, the tritium inventory in the eight trenches was estimated by reviewing the radioactive shipping records (RSRs) for waste buried in these trenches. It has been found that the tritium shipped for burial at the site was probably higher than previously estimated. In the eight trenches surveyed, which amount to roughly one half the total volume and activity buried at Sheffield, approximately 2350 Ci of tritium from non-fuel cycle sources were identified.


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Wacker ◽  
Carlito Calil ◽  
Lola E. Hislop ◽  
Paula D. Hilbrich Lee ◽  
James A. Kainz

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