Engineering topics

Demmer, Rick

Publications and source records attributed to Demmer, Rick.

16 records

DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 47: Decommissioning, Issues and Possibilities/Opportunities

This panel focused on decommissioning projects in the US and abroad. This interactive discussion between the audience and panelists included - 1) logistics (from cradle to grave); 2) organizational aspects of decommissioning; 3) regulatory aspects and issues; 4) definition of the back-end with regard to packages and Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC); and 5) identification and management of difficult-to-handle decontamination and demolition (D and D) waste (e.g. damaged fuel, legacy/forgotten waste inside Nuclear Power Plants, etc.). Panelist with presentations: JCNPP Lessons Learned (Manuel Ondaro del Pino)

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DOE OSTI2020

FX Hg Fogging Fixative Deployment for Mercury Vapor Suppression - 20410

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) FX Hg fixative solution was deployed at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to support disposal of mercury-contaminated metal debris. The fixative was dispensed via fogging. Fogging infiltrates non-line-of-sight areas improving fixative coating on complex geometries such as debris piles. FX Hg is the mercury vapor controlling derivative of INL's FX2 fixative. FX2 was jointly developed with the National Nuclear Laboratory of the United Kingdom, and INL developed the FX Hg derivative to suppress mercury vapor generation. The Y-12 deployment was performed in concert with UCOR (URS CH2M Oak Ridge), the cleanup contractor for Y-12. A dumpster filled with debris was fogged with FX Hg. The debris was acceptable as municipal landfill waste, save for the mercury vapor levels measured. If the mercury vapor generation rate could be sufficiently reduced, disposal costs for this waste would be dramatically reduced. FX Hg had previously proven effective at significantly reducing mercury vapor generation rates in bench scale testing at INL. This deployment was the first field-scale deployment of the method. Efficacy results were underwhelming, but interpretation of the outcome is complicated by a paucity of hard data. Methods for improving data capture and analysis are analyzed. Operational difficulties associated with scaling up the process and process improvements for future deployments are discussed. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2020

Panel Session 13: D and D Collaboration Between US DOE EM and NNSA (R6.3)

This panel focused on the interaction and collaboration between US Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (DOE EM) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) offices and sites. Panelists with presentations: NNSA and DOE EM Collaboration on Facility Disposition (Deborah Couchman-Griswold); DOE EM and NNSA D and D Collaboration at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Diane McDaniel); Working Together to Achieve Environmental Cleanup Success in Oak Ridge (Laura Wilkerson, James Daffron); DOE-EM - NNSA (Rick Demmer)

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DOE OSTI2020

FX Hg Fogging Fixative Deployment for Mercury Vapor Suppression

Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) FX Hg fixative solution was deployed at the Y-12 Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to support disposal of mercury-contaminated metal debris. The fixative was dispensed via fogging. Fogging infiltrates non-line-of-sight areas improving fixative coating on complex geometries such as debris piles. FX Hg is the mercury vapor controlling derivative of INL’s FX2 fixative. FX2 was jointly developed with the National Nuclear Laboratory of the United Kingdom, and INL developed the FX Hg derivative to suppress mercury vapor generation. The Y-12 deployment was performed in concert with cleanup contractor UCOR. A dumpster filled with debris was fogged with FX Hg. The material was acceptable as municipal landfill waste, save for the mercury vapor levels measured. If the mercury vapor generation rate could be sufficiently reduced, disposal costs for this waste would be dramatically reduced. FX Hg had previously proven effective at significantly reducing mercury vapor generation rates in bench scale testing at INL. This deployment was the first field scale deployment of the method. Efficacy results were underwhelming, but interpretation of the outcome is complicated by a paucity of hard data. Methods for improving data capture and analysis are analyzed. Operational difficulties associated with scaling the process up and process improvements for future deployments are discussed.

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DOE OSTI2019

Human and Robotic Testing in Gloveboxes to Reduce Worker Fatigue - 19542

A DOE-sponsored study conducted by the Los Alamos National Laboratory reported that the incidence rate of repetitive stress injuries (RSI) during manipulation tasks in glovebox and hot cell workspaces increased from 22% after 1-2 hours of work per day to 50% after 3 hours of work per day due to fatigue, repetitive motion, and hyperextension. Robotics can be a viable solution to this issue as robotic manipulators and wearable robotic devices can provide effective assistance to alleviate the workload. In order to use the robotic devices, an initial study to detect the amount of fatigue experienced by the glovebox operators is essential. Hence, in the present research two objectives have been specified and investigated. These include the use of electromyography (EMG) sensors to precisely detect the fatigue in various hands, arm and shoulder muscles and; the use of dexterous robotic arm and hand combinations to effectively perform certain repetitive and monotonous tasks conducted inside an in-house glovebox constructed for the research. A UR5 robotic arm and an i-limb artificial hand have been used. Human tests included eight subjects and two customized glovebox tasks. Pilot scale test results indicate variation in the mean frequency which is an indication of the level of fatigue that occurred. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2019

FX2 Fogging Fixative Deployment for Radioactive Contamination Control

Idaho National Laboratory’s FX2 fixative solution was deployed as part of the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of an alpha-contaminated glovebox. The fixative was dispensed via fogging. The goal of the deployment was to reduce friable alpha radioactive contamination prior to removal of the glovebox. Information about the deployment and the efficacy of the treatment is presented.

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DOE OSTI2018

International Standards Development and Its Role in Transitioning D and D Technologies to Deployment - 18315

As the need to perform deactivation and decommissioning (D and D) of the most challenging nuclear facilities worldwide is growing, facilitating the integration of state-of-the-art, cutting edge technologies will be critically important to safely, effectively, and efficiently complete this mission. However, end users in the field face significant obstacles to integrating new technologies into cleanup initiatives. By leveraging the development of international standards and testing protocols, the risks associated with implementing new technologies can be mitigated and further support the need to update existing directives and guidance handbooks to account for the tremendous recent advancements in technology development. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International's E10.03 Subcommittee on Radiological Protection for D and D of Nuclear Facilities and Components has begun the development of standard specifications and uniform testing protocols designed to support the nuclear industry's testing and evaluation requirements for D and D technologies. The vision of the E10.03 Subcommittee is to promulgate operationally relevant, uniform testing protocols that can be leveraged by the various technology innovation and development programs across the nuclear environmental management community, and support decision makers and end users with common references in the selection and employment of those standards and associated technologies. These standards could also serve as the basis for updating existing directives and guidance documents such as the various DOE handbooks to better account for the role of cutting edge technology, and facilitate / expedite lab to market efforts that result in improved returns on investment (ROIs) for technology development programs. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2018

Bench Scale Study of Coating Formulations for Abatement of Mercury Vapor and Recovery of Mercury Spills

A sealant formulation has been developed that effectively mitigates human exposure to elemental mercury vapor evolving from spilled mercury. The sealant may be dispensed using a fogging methodology (for industrial settings) or a common spray bottle (for home or school settings). In parallel, the potential for Hg recovery using strippable coatings was evaluated. Four liquid coatings were evaluated: one fogging fixative (FX2) developed at INL for the containment of surface and airborne contamination and three commercially available strippable decontamination gels (Carboset 441, Encor 449, and Stripcoat TLC Free). Bench scale mercury vapor abatement tests were conducted in an enclosure using FX2 with the addition of a mercury absorbent and a mercury reactant. Testing with FX2 showed the reactant contributed significantly to reducing the rate of mercury evaporation. The reactant had a minimal impact on the mercury evaporation rate for the strippable coatings. The potential of strippable coatings to remove/recover mercury was inferred from the adhesive and cohesive performance of sprayable dilutions of the coatings applied to porous and non-porous surfaces. Testing provided the following results: • Mercury vapor concentration was reduced by a factor of 40 using the reactant enhanced FX2 solution, as well as with dilutions of Carboset and Encor. Dilute Stripcoat was less effective at reducing Hg evaporation. • A 100× reduction in Hg evaporation rate was achieved using a coating of FX + the Hg reactant (a.k.a. FX Hg), compared to uncoated Hg. • A 2× reduction in the Hg vapor accumulation rate was achieved using FX Hg, compared to the strippable coatings. • Strippability and adhesion tests show that dilutions of Carboset and Stripcoat can be stripped from a variety of indoor surfaces. Dilute Encor was not strippable. Results suggest FX Hg and dilute Carboset will likely reduce Hg vapor concentrations, in an indoor setting, to a level at or below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 8-hour human exposure limit (0.1 mg/m3). FX Hg dispensed via fogging would increase worker safety during remediation and demolition of industrial facilities with high levels of elemental mercury contamination. When applied via spray bottle, FX Hg may provide a safe and convenient method for the mitigation of Hg vapor in residential or commercial settings (e.g., offices, homes, schools). This approach would be most beneficial where recovery of the spilled Hg is impractical. A sprayed then stripped application of dilute Carboset may provide a safe and convenient method for recovery of small Hg spills in residential and commercial settings. Further testing is required to determine if liquid Hg sufficiently adheres to the strippable coating to be recovered in this way. If it can be dispensed as a fog, dilute Carboset could be employed to recover Hg contamination in industrial settings. Testing of the foggability of dilute Carboset is required to assess this potential.

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DOE OSTI2017

Radioactive Contamination Tenacity on Building Substrate - 17417

Radiological decontamination is an essential enterprise that has become more important over the last four decades due to unfortunate accidents and the threat of terrorist actions. Decontamination can be an effective, beneficial alternative for the cleanup of radiological contamination events; however, the costs and benefits need to be balanced against those for complete removal and demolition of contaminated areas or facilities. Demolition and removal are often the first options considered in such circumstances as decontamination may be thought of as slow and costly. Decontamination has advantages, including significant waste reduction over demolition. In areas with buildings of cultural or societal importance, demolition may not be an option. Three decontamination evaluation test series are the focus of this article: SIMCON 1 and 2 (i.e., simulated contamination), and Urban RDD (radiological dispersal device, i.e., a dirty bomb detonation). These test series revealed that different contaminants respond differently during decontamination. This was found to be true with both SIMCON and Urban RDD simulant tests. SIMCON 2 especially demonstrated that chemically different contaminants respond differently to different decontamination methods: cesium appears to be less tenacious (more easily removed) than zirconium using chemical methods. These differences were underscored by the Urban RDD tests where americium and cobalt tended to precipitate on high pH surfaces (such as concrete), making them easier to remove, while cesium and strontium were essentially unaffected by surface pH and were imbibed more strongly into the substrate pore structure. While authorities argue over the contributions of contaminant chemistry and substrate morphology, the clear answer is that each has a contribution to the tenacity of a contaminant. Knowing how these characteristics interact will make us better at decontamination in the field. This knowledge refutes the efforts of perhaps well-meaning marketers to define our decontamination problems by what products they are trying to sell; often a 'one size fits all' type approach. Knowing even a little bit about the character of the decontamination problem will save time and money and increase the efficacy of decontamination. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2017

Fixatives Used for Decommissioning and Maintenance of Radiological Facilities - 17537

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the United Kingdom (UK) National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) have been collaborating for several years on materials and methods for the fogged/misted introduction of fixatives into radiologically contaminated facilities. The objective of the project is to deliver a process for reducing airborne radiological and/or mercury contamination and affixing loose contamination in place, thereby reducing contamination risk to employees and decreasing D and D cost and schedule. The developed process provides a reliable, unmanned method of introducing a coating that captures and fixes contamination in place within facilities. The INL coating, termed FX2, has undergone extensive non-radiological testing, including determination that it is non-flammable, affixes contamination and flows well through unusual geometries (testing at Florida International University). A series of non-active fogging trials for activity knock/tie-down application have been completed at NNL Workington on behalf of Idaho National Laboratory (INL). These trials performed by the NNL employed commercially available agricultural fogging equipment and the INL's knock/tie-down latex formulation (FX-2). This testing successfully demonstrated the ability of the fogging devices to successfully spray the FX-2 formulation within various scenarios, and prepared the project for a radioactive trial. The INL has also developed a mercury vapor reducing form of the coating termed FX-Hg, which has shown great promise in laboratory studies. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2017

Radioactive Contamination Tenacity on Building Substrate – 17417

Radiological decontamination is an essential enterprise that has become more important over the last four decades due to unfortunate accidents and the threat of terrorist actions. Decontamination can be an effective, beneficial alternative for the cleanup of radiological contamination events; however, the costs and benefits need to be balanced against those for complete removal and demolition of contaminated areas or facilities. Demolition and removal are often the first options considered in such circumstances as decontamination may be thought of as slow and costly. Decontamination has advantages, including significant waste reduction over demolition. In areas with buildings of cultural or societal importance, demolition may not be an option. Three decontamination evaluation test series are the focus of this article: SIMCON 1 and 2 (i.e., simulated contamination), and Urban RDD (radiological dispersal device, i.e., a dirty bomb detonation). These test series revealed that different contaminants respond differently during decontamination. This was found to be true with both SIMCON and Urban RDD simulant tests. SIMCON 2 especially demonstrated that chemically different contaminants respond differently to different decontamination methods: cesium appears to be less tenacious (more easily removed) than zirconium using chemical methods. These differences were underscored by the Urban RDD tests where americium and cobalt tended to precipitate on high pH surfaces (such as concrete), making them easier to remove, while cesium and strontium were essentially unaffected by surface pH and were imbibed more strongly into the substrate pore structure. While authorities argue over the contributions of contaminant chemistry and substrate morphology, the clear answer is that each has a contribution to the tenacity of a contaminant. Knowing how these characteristics interact will make us better at decontamination in the field. This knowledge refutes the efforts of perhaps well-meaning marketers to define our decontamination problems by what products they are trying to sell; often a “one size fits all” type approach. Knowing even a little bit about the character of the decontamination problem will save time and money and increase the efficacy of decontamination.

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DOE OSTI2017

Fixatives Used for Decommissioning and Maintenance of Radiological Facilities – 17537

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the United Kingdom (UK) National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) have been collaborating for several years on materials and methods for the fogged/misted introduction of fixatives into radiologically contaminated facilities. The objective of the project is to deliver a process for reducing airborne radiological and/or mercury contamination and affixing loose contamination in place, thereby reducing contamination risk to employees and decreasing D&D cost and schedule. The developed process provides a reliable, unmanned method of introducing a coating that captures and fixes contamination in place within facilities. The INL coating, termed FX2, has undergone extensive non-radiological testing, including determination that it is non-flammable, affixes contamination and flows well through unusual geometries (testing at Florida International University). A series of non-active fogging trials for activity knock/tie-down application have been completed at NNL Workington on behalf of Idaho National Laboratory (INL). These trials performed by the NNL employed commercially available agricultural fogging equipment and the INL’s knock/tie-down latex formulation (FX-2). This testing successfully demonstrated the ability of the fogging devices to successfully spray the FX-2 formulation within various scenarios, and prepared the project for a radioactive trial. The INL has also developed a mercury vapor reducing form of the coating termed FX-Hg, which has shown great promise in laboratory studies.

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DOE OSTI2015

Decontamination methods testing for the waste isolation pilot plant - 15691

On February 14, 2014, americium and plutonium contamination was released in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) salt caverns. Several practical, easily deployable methods of decontaminating WIPP salt, using a surrogate contaminant and americium ({sup 241}Am), were developed and tested. The effectiveness of the methods is evaluated qualitatively, and to the extent practical, quantitatively. Of the methods tested (dry brushing, vacuum cleaning, water washing, strippable coatings, and mechanical grinding), the most practical seems to be water washing. Effectiveness is very high, and water washing is easy and rapid to deploy. The amount of wastewater produced (2 L/m{sup 2}) would be substantial and may not be easy to manage, but the method is the clear winner from a usability perspective. Removable surface contamination levels (smear results) from water washed coupons found no residual removable contamination. Thus, whatever contamination is left is likely adhered to (or trapped within) the salt. The other option that shows promise is the use of a fixative barrier. Bartlett Nuclear, Inc.'s Polymeric Barrier System proved the most durable of the coatings tested. The coatings were not tested for contaminant entrapment, only for coating integrity and durability. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2014

Understanding Mechanisms of Radiological Contamination

Over the last 50 years, the study of radiological contamination and decontamination has expanded significantly. This paper addresses the mechanisms of radiological contamination that have been reported and then discusses which methods have recently been used during performance testing of several different decontamination technologies. About twenty years ago the Idaho Nuclear Technology Engineering Center (INTEC) at the INL began a search for decontamination processes which could minimize secondary waste. In order to test the effectiveness of these decontamination technologies, a new simulated contamination, termed SIMCON, was developed. SIMCON was designed to replicate the types of contamination found on stainless steel, spent fuel processing equipment. Ten years later, the INL began research into methods for simulating urban contamination resulting from a radiological dispersal device (RDD). This work was sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and included the initial development an aqueous application of contaminant to substrate. Since 2007, research sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has advanced that effort and led to the development of a contamination method that simulates particulate fallout from an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND). The IND method diverges from previous efforts to create tenacious contamination by simulating a reproducible “loose” contamination. Examining these different types of contamination (and subsequent decontamination processes), which have included several different radionuclides and substrates, sheds light on contamination processes that occur throughout the nuclear industry and in the urban environment.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

DOE OSTI2013

INL - NNL an International Technology Collaboration Case Study - Advanced Fogging Technologies for Decommissioning - 13463

International collaboration and partnerships have become a reality as markets continue to globalize. This is the case in nuclear sector where over recent years partnerships commonly form to bid for capital projects internationally in the increasingly contractorized world and international consortia regularly bid and lead Management and Operations (M and O) / Parent Body Organization (PBO) site management contracts. International collaboration can also benefit research and technology development. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) are internationally recognized organizations delivering leading science and technology development programmes both nationally and internationally. The Laboratories are actively collaborating in several areas with benefits to both the laboratories and their customers. Recent collaborations have focused on fuel cycle separations, systems engineering supporting waste management and decommissioning, the use of misting for decontamination and in-situ waste characterisation. This paper focuses on a case study illustrating how integration of two technologies developed on different sides of the Atlantic are being integrated through international collaboration to address real decommissioning challenges using fogging technology. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2011

Rad-Release

The R&D 100 Award winning Rad-Release Chemical Decontamination Technology is a highly effective (up to 99% removal rate), affordable, patented chemical-foam-clay decontamination process tailored to specific radiological and metal contaminants, which is applicable to a wide variety of substrates. For more information about this project, visit http://www.inl.gov/rd100/2011/rad-release/

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