Furthermore, WIPPVENT incorporates regulator characteristic curves specific to the site. The program utilizes this data to create and continuously update a REAL-TIME ventilation model. This paper discusses the design, key features, and interactive capabilities of WIPPVENT. DISCLAIMERThis report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any I@ liability or reSp0nn"bity for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or pnnmss disdosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any spedfc commercial product, processt or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily comtitute or imply its endorsement, recommndabo * n, or favoring by the UN&d States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or refkt those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) performed a feasibility analvsis for the purpose of either modifiing, supplementing, or replacing its two main mine fans. The WIPP, located near Carlsbad, New Mexico, is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility designed to demonstrate the permanent, safe disposal of U. S. defense-generated transuranic waste in a deep bedded salt deposit. Since the centrifugal fans were installed in 1988, multiple operational and perhrmance concerns have been identified. A comprehensive engineering study was conducted in 1995 to: I Qualifir and quanti* operational concerns, 2) Evaluate possible alternatives, and 3) Recommend an optimum solution. Multiple system modification andor replacement scenarios were evaluated with associated cost estimates developed. The study considered replacement with either centnfugal or axial fans. Multiple fan duties are required at the WIPP. Therefore, Variable Frequency Drives ' and Met Vane Controls (IVC) were investigated for centrifugal fans. In-flight adjustable blades were investigated for axial fans. The study indicated that replacing the existing system with two double-width. double-inlet centrifugal fans equipped with IVCs was the best choice. l h s alternative provided the most desirable combination of: 1) ensuring the required operational readiness. and 2) improving system performance. The WIPP is currently planning to replace the first fan in 1997. OVERVIEW OF THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is designed to permanently dispose of transuranic radioactive waste left from the research ami production of nuclear weapons. The WIPP is located hi southeastern New Mexico 43 kilometers (26 rrGles) east of Carlsbad. Project facilities include disposal rooms excavated in an ancient (approximately 250 million years old), stable salt formation 660 m (2150 ti) underground. Transuranic waste consists of clothing, tools. rags, and other such items contaminated with trace amounts of radioactive elements, mostly plutonkm. DESCRIPTION OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM Ventilation of tie underground facility at WIPP is accoqlislwl with four main ventdation splits called the north area, mining area, waste storage area. and the waste shaft station. In order to minimize occupational exposure of underground personnel to radmion and radioactive materials, the facility is designed and constructed based on the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) concept. This concept resulted in a design where the nuclear waste transportation and storage areas are separated from the mitling DISCLAIMER This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or nsponsiity for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference ...

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This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an ageng of the United States Government Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or respom-bility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or proass disdosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or sem'ce by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not neCesSarfiy state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. This document has been reproduced directly from the best possible copy.