Vapor characterization of Tank 241-C-103

Abstract

the equipmentand expertise to characterize gases and vapors in the high-level radioactive waste storage tanks at the Hanford Site in south central Washington State. This capability has been demonstratedby the characterizationof the tank 24I-C-103 headspace. This tankheadspace is the first, and for many reasons is expected to be the most problematic, that will be characterized (Osborne 1992). Results from the most recent and comprehensive sampling event, sample job 713,are presented for the purpose of providing scientific bases for resolution of vapor issues associated with tank 241-C-103. This report is based on the work of Clauss et al. 1994,

Vapor space characterization of waste Tank 241-BY-107: Results from in situ sample collected on 3/25/94

“…10 ppb. The sum of these analytes was approximately 70 mg/m3 or about 20% the concentration of organic compounds in Tank C-103 (Ligotke et al 1994) (Huckaby and Story 1994). …”

Tank 241-C-109 headspace gas and vapor characterization results for samples collected in August 1994. Revision 2

“…Elevated waste tank headspace carbon monoxide concentrations are common (e.g., carbon monoxide concentration in tank C-103' was [26.7 ppmv], Huckaby and Story 1994), and are thought to be due to the decomposition of organic waste in the tanks.…”

Tank 241-U-204 headspace gas and vapor characterization results for samples collected in August 1995

“…Samples collected are thought to have been representative of the tank headspace when the tank was sampled (Meacham et al 1995), and sample analyses were designed to provide a reasonably accurate and complete characterization of the significant headspace constituents. No assessment has been made of how the tank U-204 headspace composition changes with time, though studies of tank C-103 suggest that composition changes probably occur very slowly in passively ventilated tanks, such as tank U-204 (Huckaby and Story 1994).…”

“…Specifically, relatively high levels of tnbutyl phosphate have been associated with the number I port of the sorbent trap sampling station of the VSS, both in TSTs analyzed by Oak Ridge National Laboratoty (Jenkins et al 1995), and by PNL . Dibutyl butylphosphonate is a manufacturing contaminant of tributyl phosphate, and is frequently detected when tributyl phosphate is detected, albeit at a lower concentration.…”