DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

May 23, 1997

Solutions: The Site Reps have reviewed the schedule for completing processing of high-level solutions from B771 through B371's Caustic Waste Treatment System. While their basis addresses solutions from tank draining, room decontamination, and residue treatment, it does not clearly address the processing of holdup solutions from B371 and B771 nor the solutions generated by flushing/decontaminating tank systems. The start dates for beginning tap and drain work are not very aggressive and their completion dates are very optimistic. For example, tapping and draining of 10 miles of piping in B771 would take only eight months and B371 tap and drain would not even start until June 1998. The Site Reps will meet with building management to obtain more details.

The Tank Disposition Trade Study is nearing completion and identifies the preferred technologies for decontaminating, size reducing, and contamination control for dispositioning the 271 tanks in B771. Based on preliminary scores, portable gloveboxes are the preferred alternative for pencil tanks and piping. A portable size reduction facility installed in B771 is the preferred alternative for many of the other tanks. The tech staff is reviewing this trade study, especially the worker safety sections.

B886 D&D: Raschig rings from two tanks in B886 were removed this week. K-H expects to complete removing raschig rings from a third tank over the weekend. This job has proceeded smoothly, and K-H expects to be complete raschig ring removal by the end of May. Holdup in the tanks will be remeasured in early June, and a report detailing the remaining holdup in the building will be issued in mid-June.

B440 ORR: RFFO issued its ORR report for Building 440, a Butler type building which will store LLW and TRU. Eleven prestart findings were issued. Most were related to conduct of operations deficiencies and issues with procedures. Additionally, the ORR Team noted that a DOE FR was not assigned to B440. This was discussed with the FR manager, who stated that he intends to assign a FR(s) to all waste facilities. This is consistent with DOE-STD-1063.

Holdup Measurements: In partial response to Safeguards and Security (S&S) issues at the site, K-H plans to accelerate the rate of holdup measurements at the site. Holdup measurement personnel have completed their characterization in B779 and a preliminary characterization in B886. Measurements have been partially completed for some ventilation systems in B707, as well as selected areas in B771 and B776. In addition to satisfying S&S requirements, this information will be used to prioritize D&D activities. No completion date has been established.