AN OVERVIEW OF EPA REGULATION OF THE SAFE DISPOSAL OF TRANSURANIC WASTE AT THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT

2001 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Wolbarst ◽  
E. K. Forinash ◽  
C. O. Byrum ◽  
R. T. Peake ◽  
F. Marcinowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
Safe Disposal ◽  
Transuranic Waste

Laboratory Studies of Gas Generation for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

1992 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Brush ◽  
M. A. Molecke ◽  
R. E. Westerman ◽  
A. J. Francis ◽  
J. B. Gillow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
Design Basis ◽  
Transuranic Waste

ABSTRACTThe design-basis, defense-related, transuranic waste to be emplaced in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant may, if sufficient H2O, nutrients, and viable microorganisms are present, generate significant quantities of gas in the repository after filling and sealing. We summarize recent results of laboratory studies of anoxic corrosion and microbial activity, the most potentially significant processes. We also discuss possible implications for the repository gas budget.

scholarly journals Results from Simulated Remote-Handled Transuranic Waste Experiments at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

1992 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin A. Molecke
Keyword(s):  
Rock Salt ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Silica Sand ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
Waste Package ◽  
Test Operation ◽  
Transuranic Waste ◽  
Package Materials

ABSTRACTMulti-year, simulated remote-handled transuranic waste (RH TRU, nonradioactive) experiments are being conducted underground in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) facility. These experiments involve the near-reference (thermal and geometrical) testing of eight full-size RH TRU test containers emplaced into horizontal, unlined rock salt boreholes. Half of the test emplacements are partially filled with bentonite/silica-sand backfill material. All test containers were electrically heated at about 115 W/each for three years, then raised to about 300 W/each for the remaining time. Each test borehole was instrumented with a selection of remote-reading thermocouples, pressure gages, borehole vertical-closure gages, and vertical and horizontal borehole-diameter closure gages. Each test emplacements was also periodically opened for visual inspections of brine intrusions and any interactions with waste package materials, materials sampling, manual closure measurements, and observations of borehole changes. Effects of heat on borehole closure rates and near-field materials (metals, backfill, rock salt, and intruding brine) interactions were closely monitored as a function of time. This paper summarizes results for the first five years of in situ test operation with supporting instrumentation and laboratory data and interpretations. Some details of RH TRU waste package materials, designs, and assorted underground test observations are also discussed. Based on the results, the tested RH TRU waste packages, materials, and emplacement geometry in unlined salt boreholes appear to be quite adequate for initial WIPP repository-phase operations.

Hydration of Magnesium Oxide in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

2002 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Snider
Keyword(s):  
Magnesium Oxide ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Stable Phase ◽  
Nacl Solution ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
Diffusion Limited ◽  
Transuranic Waste ◽  
Hydroxide Hydrate

ABSTRACTMagnesium oxide (MgO) is the only engineered barrier being emplaced in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a U.S. Department of Energy repository for transuranic waste. MgO will lower dissolved concentrations of actinides by consuming CO2 from possible microbial activity, by buffering the pH between 8.5 and 9.5, and by reducing the amount of free water in the repository. This paper discusses results from experiments measuring the hydration of MgO. Results suggest that periclase (MgO) hydrates rapidly to brucite (Mg(OH)2) in de-ionized water and 4 M NaCl solution at 90°C; the hydration rate decreases as temperature decreases. In ERDA-6, a NaCl-rich WIPP brine, MgO hydrates directly to brucite; in GWB, a high-Mg brine, periclase hydrates to magnesium chloride hydroxide hydrate(s) until the dissolved Mg2+ concentration decreases, and brucite becomes the stable phase. Under humid conditions MgO fully hydrates at higher humidities(> 50%). All data are consistent with diffusion-limited hydration reactions.

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