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Hanford waste tank safety issues
This paper presents an overview of the potential high-activity waste safety issues in the 177 underground radioactive waste storage tanks at the Hanford Site. Also, included is a discussion of the strategy and plans to remedy hazardous conditions and remove other deficiencies related to the operation of the tanks. A three-pronged multimillion dollar integrated program has been initiated that (1) assesses and, on an as needed basis, defines remediation and/or mitigation actions to allow interim stabilization of high risk waste tanks; (2) upgrades existing facilities and instrumentation to meet current nuclear facility operations standards; and (3) addresses and upgrades the conduct of operations. For tanks that are considered at risk, extensive management controls presently are employed to ensure that the tanks continue to be maintained in a safe manner. In addition, comprehensive monitoring, characterization and applied research, and engineering efforts have been initiated to support resolution of safety issues. A key element of the Westinghouse Hanford Company effort is preventing future problems associated with creating potentially incompatible wastes as part of waste management activities associated with the planned disposal of the wastes in these storage tanks. Such efforts also will provide the basis for safe near future remediation of tanks and define and maintain the envelope of safety to support the ultimate disposal of all high- activity waste in Hanford Site tanks. 6 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab