Review of the Department of Energy's Plans for Disposal of Surplus Plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Review of the Department of Energy's Plans for Disposal of Surplus Plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2020-06-01

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0309498619

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued an Interim Report evaluating the general viability of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration's (DOE-NNSA's) conceptual plans for disposing of 34 metric tons (MT) of surplus plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a deep geologic repository near Carlsbad, New Mexico. It provided a preliminary assessment of the general viability of DOE-NNSA's conceptual plans, focused on some of the barriers to their implementation. This final report addresses the remaining issues and echoes the recommendations from the interim study.


Improving the Scientific Basis for Managing DOE's Excess Nuclear Materials and Spent Nuclear Fuel

Improving the Scientific Basis for Managing DOE's Excess Nuclear Materials and Spent Nuclear Fuel

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2003-06-09

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 0309087228

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The production of nuclear materials for the national defense was an intense, nationwide effort that began with the Manhattan Project and continued throughout the Cold War. Now many of these product materials, by-products, and precursors, such as irradiated nuclear fuels and targets, have been declared as excess by the Department of Energy (DOE). Most of this excess inventory has been, or will be, turned over to DOE's Office of Environmental Management (EM), which is responsible for cleaning up the former production sites. Recognizing the scientific and technical challenges facing EM, Congress in 1995 established the EM Science Program (EMSP) to develop and fund directed, long-term research that could substantially enhance the knowledge base available for new cleanup technologies and decision making. The EMSP has previously asked the National Academies' National Research Council for advice for developing research agendas in subsurface contamination, facility deactivation and decommissioning, high-level waste, and mixed and transuranic waste. For this study the committee was tasked to provide recommendations for a research agenda to improve the scientific basis for DOE's management of its high-cost, high-volume, or high-risk excess nuclear materials and spent nuclear fuels. To address its task, the committee focused its attention on DOE's excess plutonium-239, spent nuclear fuels, cesium-137 and strontium-90 capsules, depleted uranium, and higher actinide isotopes.


Closing the Circle on the Splitting of the Atom

Closing the Circle on the Splitting of the Atom

Author: DIANE Publishing Company

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1995-03

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 9780788116360

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Describes environmental, safety, and health problems throughout the nuclear weapons complex and what the U.S. Dept. of Energy is doing to address them. Covers: building nuclear warheads: the process; wastes and other byproducts of the cold war (spent nuclear fuel, plutonium residues, radioactive waste, transuranic waste, hazardous waste, etc.); contamination and cleanup; an international perspective; transition to new missions; and looking to the future. Over 100 b/w photos. Extensive glossary and bibliography.


Safe Handling of Tritium

Safe Handling of Tritium

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This publication contains information on the dosimetry and monitoring of tritium, the use of protective clothing for work with tritium, safe practices in tritium handling laboratories and details of tritium compatible materials. The information has been compiled from experience in the various applications of tritium and should represent valuable source material to all users of tritium, including those involved in fusion R&D.


Over 200 U.S. Department of Energy Manuals Combined: CLASSICAL PHYSICS; ELECTRICAL SCIENCE; THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FUNDAMENTALS; INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL; MATHEMATICS; CHEMISTRY; ENGINEERING SYMBIOLOGY; MATERIAL SCIENCE; MECHANICAL SCIENCE; AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY

Over 200 U.S. Department of Energy Manuals Combined: CLASSICAL PHYSICS; ELECTRICAL SCIENCE; THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FUNDAMENTALS; INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL; MATHEMATICS; CHEMISTRY; ENGINEERING SYMBIOLOGY; MATERIAL SCIENCE; MECHANICAL SCIENCE; AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY

Author:

Publisher: Jeffrey Frank Jones

Published:

Total Pages: 19288

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Over 19,000 total pages ... Public Domain U.S. Government published manual: Numerous illustrations and matrices. Published in the 1990s and after 2000. TITLES and CONTENTS: ELECTRICAL SCIENCES - Contains the following manuals: Electrical Science, Vol 1 - Electrical Science, Vol 2 - Electrical Science, Vol 3 - Electrical Science, Vol 4 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 1 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 2 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 3 - Instrumentation And Control, Vol 1 - Instrumentation And Control, Vol 2 Mathematics, Vol 1 - Mathematics, Vol 2 - Chemistry, Vol 1 - Chemistry, Vol 2 - Engineering Symbology, Prints, And Drawings, Vol 1 - Engineering Symbology, Prints, And Drawings, Vol 2 - Material Science, Vol 1 - Material Science, Vol 2 - Mechanical Science, Vol 1 - Mechanical Science, Vol 2 - Nuclear Physics And Reactor Theory, Vol 1 - Nuclear Physics And Reactor Theory, Vol 2. CLASSICAL PHYSICS - The Classical Physics Fundamentals includes information on the units used to measure physical properties; vectors, and how they are used to show the net effect of various forces; Newton's Laws of motion, and how to use these laws in force and motion applications; and the concepts of energy, work, and power, and how to measure and calculate the energy involved in various applications. * Scalar And Vector Quantities * Vector Identification * Vectors: Resultants And Components * Graphic Method Of Vector Addition * Component Addition Method * Analytical Method Of Vector Addition * Newton's Laws Of Motion * Momentum Principles * Force And Weight * Free-Body Diagrams * Force Equilibrium * Types Of Force * Energy And Work * Law Of Conservation Of Energy * Power – ELECTRICAL SCIENCE: The Electrical Science Fundamentals Handbook includes information on alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) theory, circuits, motors, and generators; AC power and reactive components; batteries; AC and DC voltage regulators; transformers; and electrical test instruments and measuring devices. * Atom And Its Forces * Electrical Terminology * Units Of Electrical Measurement * Methods Of Producing Voltage (Electricity) * Magnetism * Magnetic Circuits * Electrical Symbols * DC Sources * DC Circuit Terminology * Basic DC Circuit Calculations * Voltage Polarity And Current Direction * Kirchhoff's Laws * DC Circuit Analysis * DC Circuit Faults * Inductance * Capacitance * Battery Terminology * Battery Theory * Battery Operations * Types Of Batteries * Battery Hazards * DC Equipment Terminology * DC Equipment Construction * DC Generator Theory * DC Generator Construction * DC Motor Theory * Types Of DC Motors * DC Motor Operation * AC Generation * AC Generation Analysis * Inductance * Capacitance * Impedance * Resonance * Power Triangle * Three-Phase Circuits * AC Generator Components * AC Generator Theory * AC Generator Operation * Voltage Regulators * AC Motor Theory * AC Motor Types * Transformer Theory * Transformer Types * Meter Movements * Voltmeters * Ammeters * Ohm Meters * Wattmeters * Other Electrical Measuring Devices * Test Equipment * System Components And Protection Devices * Circuit Breakers * Motor Controllers * Wiring Schemes And Grounding THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FUNDAMENTALS. The Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow Fundamentals Handbook includes information on thermodynamics and the properties of fluids; the three modes of heat transfer - conduction, convection, and radiation; and fluid flow, and the energy relationships in fluid systems. * Thermodynamic Properties * Temperature And Pressure Measurements * Energy, Work, And Heat * Thermodynamic Systems And Processes * Change Of Phase * Property Diagrams And Steam Tables * First Law Of Thermodynamics * Second Law Of Thermodynamics * Compression Processes * Heat Transfer Terminology * Conduction Heat Transfer * Convection Heat Transfer * Radiant Heat Transfer * Heat Exchangers * Boiling Heat Transfer * Heat Generation * Decay Heat * Continuity Equation * Laminar And Turbulent Flow * Bernoulli's Equation * Head Loss * Natural Circulation * Two-Phase Fluid Flow * Centrifugal Pumps INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL. The Instrumentation and Control Fundamentals Handbook includes information on temperature, pressure, flow, and level detection systems; position indication systems; process control systems; and radiation detection principles. * Resistance Temperature Detectors (Rtds) * Thermocouples * Functional Uses Of Temperature Detectors * Temperature Detection Circuitry * Pressure Detectors * Pressure Detector Functional Uses * Pressure Detection Circuitry * Level Detectors * Density Compensation * Level Detection Circuitry * Head Flow Meters * Other Flow Meters * Steam Flow Detection * Flow Circuitry * Synchro Equipment * Switches * Variable Output Devices * Position Indication Circuitry * Radiation Detection Terminology * Radiation Types * Gas-Filled Detector * Detector Voltage * Proportional Counter * Proportional Counter Circuitry * Ionization Chamber * Compensated Ion Chamber * Electroscope Ionization Chamber * Geiger-Müller Detector * Scintillation Counter * Gamma Spectroscopy * Miscellaneous Detectors * Circuitry And Circuit Elements * Source Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Intermediate Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Power Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Principles Of Control Systems * Control Loop Diagrams * Two Position Control Systems * Proportional Control Systems * Reset (Integral) Control Systems * Proportional Plus Reset Control Systems * Proportional Plus Rate Control Systems * Proportional-Integral-Derivative Control Systems * Controllers * Valve Actuators MATHEMATICS The Mathematics Fundamentals Handbook includes a review of introductory mathematics and the concepts and functional use of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Word problems, equations, calculations, and practical exercises that require the use of each of the mathematical concepts are also presented. * Calculator Operations * Four Basic Arithmetic Operations * Averages * Fractions * Decimals * Signed Numbers * Significant Digits * Percentages * Exponents * Scientific Notation * Radicals * Algebraic Laws * Linear Equations * Quadratic Equations * Simultaneous Equations * Word Problems * Graphing * Slopes * Interpolation And Extrapolation * Basic Concepts Of Geometry * Shapes And Figures Of Plane Geometry * Solid Geometric Figures * Pythagorean Theorem * Trigonometric Functions * Radians * Statistics * Imaginary And Complex Numbers * Matrices And Determinants * Calculus CHEMISTRY The Chemistry Handbook includes information on the atomic structure of matter; chemical bonding; chemical equations; chemical interactions involved with corrosion processes; water chemistry control, including the principles of water treatment; the hazards of chemicals and gases, and basic gaseous diffusion processes. * Characteristics Of Atoms * The Periodic Table * Chemical Bonding * Chemical Equations * Acids, Bases, Salts, And Ph * Converters * Corrosion Theory * General Corrosion * Crud And Galvanic Corrosion * Specialized Corrosion * Effects Of Radiation On Water Chemistry (Synthesis) * Chemistry Parameters * Purpose Of Water Treatment * Water Treatment Processes * Dissolved Gases, Suspended Solids, And Ph Control * Water Purity * Corrosives (Acids And Alkalies) * Toxic Compound * Compressed Gases * Flammable And Combustible Liquids ENGINEERING SYMBIOLOGY. The Engineering Symbology, Prints, and Drawings Handbook includes information on engineering fluid drawings and prints; piping and instrument drawings; major symbols and conventions; electronic diagrams and schematics; logic circuits and diagrams; and fabrication, construction, and architectural drawings. * Introduction To Print Reading * Introduction To The Types Of Drawings, Views, And Perspectives * Engineering Fluids Diagrams And Prints * Reading Engineering P&Ids * P&Id Print Reading Example * Fluid Power P&Ids * Electrical Diagrams And Schematics * Electrical Wiring And Schematic Diagram Reading Examples * Electronic Diagrams And Schematics * Examples * Engineering Logic Diagrams * Truth Tables And Exercises * Engineering Fabrication, Construction, And Architectural Drawings * Engineering Fabrication, Construction, And Architectural Drawing, Examples MATERIAL SCIENCE. The Material Science Handbook includes information on the structure and properties of metals, stress mechanisms in metals, failure modes, and the characteristics of metals that are commonly used in DOE nuclear facilities. * Bonding * Common Lattice Types * Grain Structure And Boundary * Polymorphism * Alloys * Imperfections In Metals * Stress * Strain * Young's Modulus * Stress-Strain Relationship * Physical Properties * Working Of Metals * Corrosion * Hydrogen Embrittlement * Tritium/Material Compatibility * Thermal Stress * Pressurized Thermal Shock * Brittle Fracture Mechanism * Minimum Pressurization-Temperature Curves * Heatup And Cooldown Rate Limits * Properties Considered * When Selecting Materials * Fuel Materials * Cladding And Reflectors * Control Materials * Shielding Materials * Nuclear Reactor Core Problems * Plant Material Problems * Atomic Displacement Due To Irradiation * Thermal And Displacement Spikes * Due To Irradiation * Effect Due To Neutron Capture * Radiation Effects In Organic Compounds * Reactor Use Of Aluminum MECHANICAL SCIENCE. The Mechanical Science Handbook includes information on diesel engines, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and miscellaneous mechanical components. * Diesel Engines * Fundamentals Of The Diesel Cycle * Diesel Engine Speed, Fuel Controls, And Protection * Types Of Heat Exchangers * Heat Exchanger Applications * Centrifugal Pumps * Centrifugal Pump Operation * Positive Displacement Pumps * Valve Functions And Basic Parts * Types Of Valves * Valve Actuators * Air Compressors * Hydraulics * Boilers * Cooling Towers * Demineralizers * Pressurizers * Steam Traps * Filters And Strainers NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY. The Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory Handbook includes information on atomic and nuclear physics; neutron characteristics; reactor theory and nuclear parameters; and the theory of reactor operation. * Atomic Nature Of Matter * Chart Of The Nuclides * Mass Defect And Binding Energy * Modes Of Radioactive Decay * Radioactivity * Neutron Interactions * Nuclear Fission * Energy Release From Fission * Interaction Of Radiation With Matter * Neutron Sources * Nuclear Cross Sections And Neutron Flux * Reaction Rates * Neutron Moderation * Prompt And Delayed Neutrons * Neutron Flux Spectrum * Neutron Life Cycle * Reactivity * Reactivity Coefficients * Neutron Poisons * Xenon * Samarium And Other Fission Product Poisons * Control Rods * Subcritical Multiplication * Reactor Kinetics * Reactor


Improving Operations and Long-Term Safety of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Improving Operations and Long-Term Safety of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2001-06-11

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0309183138

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a deep underground mined facility for the disposal of transuranic waste resulting from the nation's defense program. Transuranic waste is defined as waste contaminated with transuranic radionuclides with half-life greater than 20 years and activity greater than 100 nanocuries per gram. The waste mainly consists of contaminated protective clothing, rags, old tools and equipment, pieces of dismantled buildings, chemical residues, and scrap materials. The total activity of the waste expected to be disposed at the WIPP is estimated to be approximately 7 million curies, including 12,900 kilograms of plutonium distributed throughout the waste in very dilute form. The WIPP is located near the community of Carlsbad, in southeastern New Mexico. The geological setting is a 600-meter thick, 250 million-year-old saltbed, the Salado Formation, lying 660 meters below the surface. The National Research Council (NRC) has been providing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) scientific and technical evaluations of the WIPP since 1978. The committee's task is twofold: (1) to identify technical issues that can be addressed to enhance confidence in the safe and long-term performance of the repository and (2) to identify opportunities for improving the National Transuranic (TRU) Program for waste management, especially with regard to the safety of workers and the public. This is the first full NRC report issued following the certification of the facility by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 18, 1998. An interim report was issued by the committee in April 2000 and is reproduced in this report. The main findings and recommendations from the interim report have been incorporated into the body of this report. The overarching finding and recommendation of this report is that the activity that would best enhance confidence in the safe and long-term performance of the repository is to monitor critical performance parameters during the long pre-closure phase of repository operations (35 to possibly 100 years). Indeed, in the first 50 to 100 years the rates of important processes such as salt creep, brine inflow (if any), and microbial activity are predicted to be the highest and will be less significant later. The committee recommends that the results of the on-site monitoring program be used to improve the performance assessment for recertification purposes. These results will determine whether the need for a new performance assessment is warranted. For the National TRU Program, the committee finds that the DOE is implementing many of the recommendations of its interim report. It is important that the DOE continue its efforts to improve the packaging, characterization, and transportation of the transuranic waste.