DOE-Idaho Operations Summary
Issued July 17, 2006
DOE-Idaho Bi-Weekly Operations Summary
For the Period of June 26-July 09, 2006
Environmental Management
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP)
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
No New Reportable Items During This Reporting Period.
Operational Status
Through July 1, 2006, a cumulative total of 11,179 cubic meters (includes 3,100 m3 Project) of initial transuranic (TRU) waste volume (i.e., Idaho Settlement Agreement volume) has been shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). AMWTP made 9 of the originally planned 18 shipments for the week ending July 1. AMWTP is currently scheduled to make 10 shipments for the week ending July 8, and is scheduled for 20 shipments for week ending July 15.
Environmental Management
Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP)
June 27: A mock-up demonstration for the Remote Handled Transuranic Waste Program was performed using the crane to lift an empty concrete box. During the demonstration, the two supporting lift slings were sliced on sharp corners of the box. The lift was performed complying with all Management Control Procedures (MCP), excepting Appendix A, Ordinary Lift, Step 2, which requires the Designated Leader to select the proper accessories to support the lift. The ‘softeners’ used to cushion the sharp edges of the box were not suitable for the application.
(EM-ID–CWI-RWMC-2006-0011)
June 27: Nevada Test Site (NTS) personnel, after unloading a shipment from the Idaho Cleanup Program (ICP), found low levels of contamination on the transport trailer. The contamination was traced to the bottom of a specific container of mixed low level waste (MLLW). The respective contamination was 33 disintegrations per minute (dpm) alpha and 1,076 dpm beta-gamma, on the trailer and 142 dpm alpha and 6,120 dpm beta-gamma, on the bottom of the container. ICP contractor management was notified. The MLLW was shipped to Pacific EcoSolutions (PEcoS) in a different container for treatment prior to final disposal at the NTS.
(EM-ID–CWI-RWMC-2006-0012)
Operational Status
At Test Area North, decommission and demolition (D&D) activities continue at TAN- 650 with the removal of the 27,000 gallon Borated Water Storage Tank. This is part of phase II of the D&D activities for TAN-650. The next goal of this D&D effort is to isolate the Containment Vessel in preparation of the final phase of the deconstruction project.
Nuclear Energy
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
June 26: During post-maintenance testing at the Advanced Test Reactor Critical (normal shutdown/outage period), the #3 safety rod failed to drop into the reactor core, as required. A spare actuator controller was installed in the #3 position and the test repeated. The #3 safety rod again failed to drop into the reactor core, indicating performance degradation associated with the actuator controllers and their circuitry. Plant and Nuclear Safety Engineering commenced an evaluation of the problem for indication of a possible original design deficiency and a reasonability determination of the existence of a potential inadequacy in the safety analysis (PISA). There was no safety impact since the discovery was during facility shut down. Currently, there are no programmatic impacts. There is potential for future impacts, if further evaluation reveals the need for component redesign.
(NE-ID–BEA-ATR-2006-0009)
June 27: During weekly maintenance of the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Transportation Trailers, a quality inspector found seven of the eight tie-down ratchets used to secure webbing across the open door of the trailers to have faulty fasteners. The webbing is used to prevent personnel from inadvertently stepping out of the trailer when the side loading doors are open. The trailers were supplied as Radioisotope Power System/Heat Source Program Government Furnished Equipment. (NE-ID–BEA-SSPSF-2006-0001)
Operational Status
Idaho National Laboratory will conduct a Security Technology Expo at the Materials and Fuels Complex on July 11. The expo will feature and provide demonstrations on several detection and weapons technologies. The demonstration will involve a force-on-force exercise. The audience, expected to be in excess of 200, will represent a variety of Federal agencies.