Streamlining Python Development: A Guide to a Modern Project Setup
09 reynolds 7th salt workshop (trr)
1. 7th US/German Workshop on Salt Repository
Research, Design, and Operation
WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
Tammy Reynolds – Deputy Project Manager
Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC
Washington, DC
September 7-9, 2016
2. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
Background
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), located in New Mexico began construction in the
early 1980’s
Receipt and disposal of Contact Handled (CH) waste began in March 1999
Receipt and disposal of Remote Handled (RH) waste began in January 2007
Between March 1999 and February 2014, WIPP safely and compliantly:
Received 11, 894 shipments and disposed the waste in the u/g,
90,627 cubic meters of CH TRU waste,
357 cubic meters of RH TRU waste
In February 2014, WIPP operations were paused when a fire and a radiological event
occurred in the underground
Recovery from the events is in progress and planned to be complete by the end of calendar
year 2016. Commencement of waste emplacement activities will begin as soon as it is safe
to do so.
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3. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
Fire Event
February 5, 2014 a fire occurred in the u/g involving a salt haul truck
86 workers in the u/g at the time of the fire were safely evacuated
Investigated by both DOE and NWP
DOE Accident Investigation Report issued on March 13, 2014
Radiological Event
February 14, 2014 an exothermic reaction involving the mixture of the organic materials (absorbent
and/or neutralizer) and nitrate salts occurred inside a drum.
Pressurization of the drum, failure of the drum locking ring, and displacement of the drum lid
TRU waste propelled from the drum up into the polypropylene magnesium oxide (MgO) super
sacks on top of the containers and onto adjacent waste containers.
(Note: MgO is an assurance feature to ensure consistent and favorable chemical conditions are
maintained in the brines after final facility closure by reacting with any carbon dioxide produced
by the decay of organic carbon in the waste and waste emplacement materials.)
Radiological Continuous Air Monitor (CAM) alarm received; ventilation interlocked to filtration
mode
Small amount of leakage bypassed the HEPA filters and released into the atmosphere
DOE Accident Investigation Report Phase I (response to the event) – issued on April 22, 2014
DOE Accident Investigation Report Phase II (cause of the event) – issued on April 16, 2015 3
4. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Nuclear Facility vs Mine Culture
Although WIPP is a nuclear facility, there was a mining culture in place vs a nuclear culture
Difference in expectations between waste handling and non-waste handling vehicles
(combustible buildup, manual vs auto fire detection/suppression)
Operability and recognition of impaired critical safety equipment
Fire protection program not adequately implemented at the WIPP facility
No controls or programs in place for control of combustible materials or maintaining of fire
protection support systems
Maintenance program not effectively implemented
– Combustible buildup on salt haul truck; chaining open ventilation doors; inoperable
ventilation fans; inoperable mine phones, obscured evacuation reflectors, disabling of
auto fire suppressions system; no overall method to understand status and impact of
impaired mine safety related equipment
Mindset of production over maintenance based on complex wide priorities to accelerate
shipments from generator sites in support of individual site milestones and regulatory agreements
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5. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Training and drill programs
Emergency management/preparedness and response programs not effectively implemented
Limited drills, inadequate donning of self-rescuers or SCSRs during training or drills,
or hands on training with portable fire extinguishers
Inconsistencies between u/g fire response procedures and drills/training
(shifting ventilation during evacuation)
Expectations and capabilities of the Facility Shift Manager to manage all aspects of an
emergency or abnormal event
CMR response (evaluation and protective actions) was less than adequate
Identified problems with communications and alarms during the fire/evacuation
delaying egress
National TRU Program not robust enough to identify incompatible waste
Communications to the community and regulatory stakeholders was not timely
Ensures trust is maintained rather than rebuilding that trust
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6. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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WIPP Recovery Managed as a Project
• Baseline established
• Scope, schedule, cost and risks reflected in the recovery baseline
• Primavera detailed schedule developed
• Progress tracked in Plan of the Day and Plan of the Week meetings
• Critical Path calculated on weekly basis
7. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Radiological and Ground Control Recovery
Radiological release event in February 2014
Prevented underground access for several
months; required “catch-up” bolting in areas
that had not been maintained during that period
Created radiologically contaminated areas –
complicating all operations including bolting and
other ground control
Ground control catchup efforts in the radiological
clean areas is complete. Ground control efforts are
now focused in the radiologically contaminated areas
180K sq. ft. has been recovered and are
unrestricted
130K sq. ft actively being worked
50K sq. ft. “Restricted”
10K sq. ft. “Prohibited
Nominal bolt failure rate 40/week
Bolt installation rate 110/week based on 11
shifts of bolting/week
8. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Facility/Equipment Improvements
New Emergency Operating Center (EOC)
Remodeled training facility
U/G Ventilation fan reliability improvements
Hybrid bolters
Maintenance backlog reduction
Interim Ventilation System
Program Improvements
Fire Protection Program Plan
DSA Revision 5 Implemented (STD 3009-2014)
Increased training for fire response and 10X increase in drills
New Emergency
Operations Center
Hybrid Bolting Machine Combustible Control ZoneNew Equipment
9. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Enhanced Underground Safety
New underground notification system
U/G combustible reduction
U/G localized fire suppression systems
Vehicle auto fire suppression systems
Improved mine stability and ground control
Aggressive Culture Change
Leadership Academy
Leaders Forum
Focus on Values, Expectations, and Standards
Notification System Vehicle Fire Suppression
10. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Phase I - Interim Ventilation System
Two HEPA skids and fan units
114,000 cfm of airflow
Doubles the existing 60k cfm capacity
Ensures adequate air flow at the waste face
for resumption of waste emplacement
Increase airflow for ground control and
maintenance operations
Phase II – Supplemental Ventilation
Reconfiguring mine circuits and additional fans
180,000 cfm airflow
Phase III – Permanent Ventilation System
Design and construct a new (permanent)
ventilation system
Capable to provide 420,000 cfm
11. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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National TRU Program
DOE released the Enhanced National TRU Program Plan (June 2016)
DOE placed HOLD on certifying TRU waste for shipment to WIPP
until new requirements are met
12. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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National TRU Program – Moving Forward
Re-Certification of Generator Sites
Specific requirements for Previously Certified Waste
Chemical Compatibility Evaluation
Enhanced Acceptable Knowledge
Evaluation of oxidizing chemicals
Generator Site Technical Reviews
13. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Prioritization of Shipments:
Initial focus of WIPP will be emplacement of waste currently in the Waste
Handling Building
TRU site DOE Field Managers and DOE Headquarters met in August to begin the
discussion of TRU waste shipping priorities
14. WIPP Recovery and Lessons Learned
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Incident Response
Investigation
U/G Recovery and Resumption of Ground Control (Bolting)
Isolation of Panel 6 and Panel 7, Room 7
Equipment Procurements and Upgrades
Interim Ventilation System
Authorization to Proceed – Commence Waste Emplacement Operations
DSA Revision and Implementation
Cold Operations
Management Self Assessment
Safety Management Program Improvements
Contractor Operational Readiness Review
DOE Operational Readiness Review – Regulator Concurrence