The radioactive wastes stored in tanks 241-C-201, 241-C-202, 241-C-203, and 241-C-204 (the C-200 series tanks) are to be retrieved with the C-200 vacuum retrieval system (VRS). The VRS will suck the waste up through an articulated mast system, separate it from the suspending air, collect and transfer it to a receiver batch tank, and return the air as exhaust to the waste tank being retrieved. An analysis of potential accidents has indicated that a break in the line used to return the exhaust to the waste tank could release unacceptable quantities of suspended radioactive material to the environment. To estimate the quantity of suspended material and determine accident risks, CH2M HILL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducted tests with the VRS using nonradioactive waste simulants at the Hanford Cold Test Facility. This report describes the tests conducted and presents and discusses the results.
Revised: November 10, 2005 |
Published: September 15, 2003