The 12th International Conference on Environmental ... - Events

Abstracts Session 30-31
<strong>The</strong> MRWS programme is currently seeking expressions of interest from communities to host a GDF. <strong>The</strong>refore, the study was
required to consider a wide range of potential GDF host rocks and consistent, conceptual disposal system designs. Two example
disposal concepts (i.e. combinations of host rock, GDF design including wasteform and layout, etc.) were carried forward for
detailed assessment and a third for qualitative analysis.
Dimensional and 1D analyses were used to identify the key interactions, and 3D models were used to investigate selected interactions
in more detail. <strong>The</strong> results of this study show that it is possible for ILW/LLW and HLW/SF modules to be collocated without
compromising key safety functions of different barrier components, and this reflects international precedents, e.g. the Andra
and Nagra repository designs. <strong>The</strong>re are two key technical issues that need to be managed in designing the geometry of the co-located
GDF: (i) the heat flux from the HLW/SF module interacting with the ILW/LLW module, and (ii) the potential for development
of an alkaline plume from the ILW/LLW module interacting with the HLW/SF module; particularly within fractured host rocks.
3) THE ROLE OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER NATIONAL LABORATORY AS THE DOE ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT CORPORATE LABORATORY - 16175
Samit Bhattacharyya, John Marra, Jeff Griffin, William Wilmarth, Savannah River National Laboratory (USA)
<strong>The</strong> presentation describes the critical role of the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) in effecting progress in the
monumental multi-decade mission of the Department of Energys Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM). As the EM
Corporate Laboratory, SRNL uses the full technical and management capabilities and resources of the nations principal applied
technology laboratory to assist EM in the identification, development, and deployment of effective technological solutions to EM
clean-up problems as well as to support emergent EM initiatives.
<strong>The</strong> mission of DOE-EM is to safeguard the health of people and the environment by cleaning up nuclear waste, nuclear materials,
contaminated groundwater & soil, and facilities—involving two million acres of land located in thirty-five states—from fifty
years of nuclear weapons research and production. EM also seeks to find ways to reduce and reuse nuclear byproducts generated
now and in the future.
A rigorous EM management system is in place today and institutionalized for continuity across changes in political will. As
the EM Corporate Laboratory, SRNL provides the corporate infrastructure to facilitate dynamic communication and collaboration
across a virtual technical support community of national laboratories, universities, federal agencies, and international entities to
achieve EMs goals effectively and efficiently.
One of SRNLs critical efforts is to assist the DOE-EM technology development and deployment program and guide the implementation
of the DOE-EM Engineering & Technology Roadmap, which was developed with SRNL support and formally issued in
March 2008. <strong>The</strong> EM Roadmap identifies five program areas that are central to site cleanup, the technical risks and uncertainties
associated with each program area, and strategic initiatives to address each uncertainty. A Multi-Year Program Plan accompanies
the Roadmap.
4)EVOLUTION OF THE QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM FOR TRU WASTE REPOSITORY OPERATIONS,
WASTE CHARACTERIZATION AND TRANSPORTATION AT THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT - 16152
Ava L. Holland, Department of Energy (USA)
This paper explores the evolution of quality assurance as a concept and as a management system over the life of the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant, the first operational geologic repository for nuclear waste. Activities and approaches that have led to successes
and failures and the resulting lessons learned will be explored from the perspective of Quality Assurance Organization management.
Quality assurance has been an integral element of the processes involved in siting, design, construction, and operation of the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Over time, QA Program scope and basic concepts have grown and evolved due to influences related to
project stage and political needs. Initially, the WIPP QA program was focused on development of computer models and collection
and use of data for repository performance assessment. This work was performed using QA Program controls provided by the
National Laboratories involved in model development and data collection and analysis. Initial repository site construction used a
QA Program to provide the needed controls for design, welding, procurement, inspection, and other basic construction quality
needs. Multiple QA Programs were involved across the early WIPP activities, with no single programmatic blueprint for integration
across the broad range of activities.
During WIPPs pre-operational phase, the need for a single, integrated QA Program became apparent. <strong>The</strong> first program
description was scoped for waste characterization activities that were defined in 40 CFR 191 and 194, and basic repository construction
and operational needs. As the pre-operational phase progressed, additional needs for QA Program coverage were identified,
particularly in the area of transportation.
SESSION 31 - ER SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND MONITORING - PART 1 OF 2
1) A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO CHARACTERISE AND ASSESS A SITE DRAINAGE
SYSTEM IN SUPPORT OF SITE RESTORATION - 16008
Angela Bartlett, UKAEA Harwell (UK); Gavin Coppins, UKAEA (UK); Peter Burgess, Nuvia (UK)
Part of the nuclear site restoration and delicensing process involves the characterisation and assessment of below-ground
drainage systems. Site restoration is currently underway at Harwell in Oxfordshire where there is a complex drainage system that
has developed over more than 70 years. Drainage decommissioning involves visual inspections, jet-washing and radiological surveys
prior to final grouting. Prior to decommissioning, the structural and radiological condition of the network was unknown and
now requires characterisation and assessment against defined clean-up criteria before the land can be released for future use.
This paper outlines the application of an innovative Geographic Information System (GIS) and data management methodology
to assess the structural and radiological condition of the drainage network at Harwell. <strong>The</strong> approach demonstrates the importance
of efficient data collection and storage, implemented using UKAEAs IMAGES land quality data management system. It also
details several GIS techniques that can be utilised to accurately position below-ground surveys and record pipe material and diameter
for surveyed drain sections.
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