No abstract

Gas generation in Hanford's underground waste storage tanks may, under certain conditions, lead to gas accumulation within the layer of settled solids (sludge) at the tank bottom. The gas, which typically has hydrogen as the major component together with other flammable species, is formed principally by radiation-driven chemical reactions. Accumulation of these gases within the sludge in a waste tank is undesirable and limits the amount of tank volume for waste storage. Further, accumulation of large amounts of gas in the sludge may potentially result in an unacceptable release of the accumulated gas if the sludge-layer density is reduced to less than that of the overlying sludge or that of the supernatant liquid. Rapid release of large amounts of flammable gases could endanger personnel and equipment near the tank. For this reason, a thorough understanding of the circumstances that can lead to a potentially problematic gas accumulation in sludge layers is needed. To respond to this need, the Deep Sludge Gas Release Event Project (DSGREP) was commissioned to examine gas release behavior in sludges.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has embarked upon a course t o acquire Hanford S i t e tank Waste treatment and i m b i l i z a t i o n services using p r i v a t i z e d f a c i l i t i e s. contains a tuo-phased approach. Phase I i s a "proof-of-principlelcmercial demonstration-scale" e f f o r t and Phase I 1 i s a f u l l-s c a l e production e f f o r t. i n t e r i m storage and disposal of various products from p r i v a t i z e d f a c i l i t i e s are t o be DOE furnikhed. The path foruard adopted f o r Phase I s o l i d i f i e d h i g h-l e v e l Waste (HLU) i n t e r i m storage e n t a i l s use o f Vaults 2 and 3 i n the Hanford S i t e Spent Nuclear Fuels Canister Storage B u i l d i n g (CSB), t o be Located i n t h e Hanford S i t e 200 East Area. functions, u i t h associated requirements, allocated t o the Phase I s o l i d i f i e d HLU i n t e r i m storage system. supporting systems. s p e c j f i c a t i o n f o r design and construction a c t i v i t i e s necessary t o achieve the o v e r a l l p r o j e c t mission. This p l a n I n accordance u i t h t h e planned approach This design requirements document establishes t h e These requirements u i l l be used as the basis f o r conceptual design of the CSB and This docunent u i l l also provide the basis f o r preparation of a performance TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER. trade name, trademark, nanufacturer, o r otheruise, does not necessarily c o n s t i t u t e o r imply i t s endorsement, r e c m n d a t i o n , o r favoring by the u n i t e d States C o v e r w n t o r any agency thereof o r i t s contractors o r subcontractors.

This document has been reviewed by WHC and DOE-RL s t a f f and requested. Provide any s i g n i f i c a n t comments t o R. B. Calmus v i a c c m a i l by r e q u i r e d response date. comments dispositioned. F i n a l review and approval 11. Receiver Remarks: 11A. Design Barnsline Docunent? [ ] Yes b] No 807400-172-1 l07/90

comments dispositioned. Final review and approval This document has been reviewed by WHC and DOE-RL s t a f f and requested. v i a cc:mail by the required response date. Provide any s i g n i f i c a n t comments t o R. B. Calmus 11. Receiver Remarks: 9. Equip./Cnpmcnt Yo.: