Title 40 CFR Part 191
Subparts B and C
Compliance Recertification Application 2014
for the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Appendix DATA-2014
Attachment B: WIPP Waste
Containers and Emplacement

United States Department of Energy
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Carlsbad Field Office
Carlsbad, New Mexico

Appendix DATA-2014
Attachment B: WIPP Waste
Containers and Emplacement

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

CH contact-handled

CH-TRU contact-handled transuranic

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

gal gallon

mm millimeter

RH remote-handled

RH-TRU remote-handled transuranic

SLB2 Standard Large Box 2

SWB Standard Waste Box

TDOP 10-Drum Overpack

TRU transuranic

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DATA-B-1.0 Authorized Waste Emplacement Containers

DATA-B-1.1 Container Descriptions

The following containers are identified as outer containment vessels for waste emplacement in the repository:

· 55-gallon (gal) Drum

· 85-gal Drum (Short)

· 85-gal Drum (Tall)

· 100-gal Drum

· Shielded Container

· Standard Large Box 2 (SLB2)

· Standard Waste Box (SWB)

· Ten-Drum Overpack (TDOP)

· Remote-handled transuranic (RH-TRU) 72B Canister (RH-TRU Waste Canister)

DATA-B-1.2 Dunnage Containers

Dunnage containers are empty containers used to complete a shipping configuration, such as the seven-pack, if too few containers that meet transportation requirements are available. Dunnage containers are clearly marked "Empty." The TDOP and the RH-TRU Waste Canister are not used as dunnage containers for shipping purposes. For emplacement purposes in the repository, the 55-, 85-, and 100-gal drums can be used as dunnage containers only if they arrive in a shrink-wrapped package assembly, such as the seven-pack, four-pack, or three-pack. To date, 55-gal drums and several SWBs have been emplaced in the repository as dunnage containers.

DATA-B-1.3 Payload Descriptions

This section gives a brief description of each payload container and its configuration for emplacement. This description also includes a figure and a table for each container.

The 55-gal drum is shipped in a seven-pack configuration and is normally emplaced in the repository in the same configuration but can be emplaced as an individual unit should the need arise. A single drum can be used for collecting and storing derived waste. An illustration of the 55-gal drum components and emplacement configuration is provided in Figure DATA-B-1. The drum specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-1.

Figure DATA-B- 1. 55-gal Drum Components and Emplacement Configuration

Table DATA-B- 1. 55-gal Drum Specifications

The 85-gal drum (short) is shipped in a four-pack configuration and will be emplaced in the repository in the same configuration but can be emplaced as an individual unit should the need arise. A single drum can be used for collecting and storing derived waste or for overpacking a 55-gal drum. An illustration of the 85-gal drum (short) components and emplacement configuration is provided in Figure DATA-B-2. The drum specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-2.

Figure DATA-B- 2. 85-gal Drum (Short) Components and Emplacement Configuration

Table DATA-B- 2. 85-gal Drum (Short) Specifications

The 85-gal drum (tall) is shipped in a four-pack configuration and will be emplaced in the repository in the same configuration. It is also used for overpacking 55-gal drums that are individually emplaced in the repository. A single drum can be used for collecting and storing derived waste. An illustration of the 85-gal drum (tall) components and emplacement configuration is provided in Figure DATA-B-3. The drum specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-3.

Figure DATA-B- 3. 85-gal Drum (Tall) Components and Emplacement Configuration

Table DATA-B- 3. 85-gal Drum (Tall) Specifications

The 100-gal drum is shipped in a three-pack configuration and will be emplaced in the repository in the same configuration. The 100-gal drum can be emplaced as an individual unit should the need arise. An illustration of the 100-gal drum components and emplacement configuration is provided in Figure DATA-B-4. The drum specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-4.

Figure DATA-B- 4. 100-gal Drum Components and Emplacement Configuration

Table DATA-B- 4. 100-gal Drum Specifications

The shielded container is shipped in a three-pack configuration and will be emplaced in the repository in the same configuration. The shielded container assemblies will be used to dispose of RH-TRU waste but will be managed and disposed of as contact-handled transuranic (CH-TRU) waste. An illustration of the shielded container components is provided in Figure DATA-B-5. The container specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-5.

Figure DATA-B- 5. Illustration of a Shielded Container

Table DATA-B- 5. Shielded Container Specifications

The SLB2 is shipped and emplaced as an individual unit. An illustration of the SLB2 is provided in Figure DATA-B-6. The box specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-6.

Figure DATA-B- 6. Illustration of a SLB2

Table DATA-B- 6. SLB2 Specifications

The SWB is shipped and emplaced as an individual unit. An SWB can be used as an overpack or to collect derived waste in the Waste Handling Building CH Bay. An illustration of the SWB is provided in Figure DATA-B-7. The box specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-7.

Figure DATA-B- 7. Illustration of a SWB

Table DATA-B- 7. SWB Specifications

The TDOP is shipped as an individual unit and emplaced as an individual unit. An illustration of TDOP components is provided in Figure DATA-B-8. The TDOP specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-8.

Figure DATA-B- 8. TDOP Components

Table DATA-B- 8. TDOP Specifications

The RH-TRU Waste Canister is shipped as a single unit and emplaced as a single unit. Illustrations of canister components are provided in Figure DATA-B-9. The canister specifications are provided in Table DATA-B-9.

Figure DATA-B- 9. RH-TRU Waste Canister Components

Table DATA-B- 9. RH-TRU Waste Canister Specifications

DATA-B-1.4 Emplacement Configurations

Shown in Figure DATA-B-10 is the typical position for waste emplacement containers randomly emplaced in the room of a panel. TDOPs and SLB2s are only emplaced on the bottom position, with another assembly stacked on top. Most other assemblies can be stacked three high before the magnesium oxide (MgO) supersack is emplaced on the top of the stack, with the exception of shielded containers. The EPA has agreed with the DOE's recommendation to not place MgO supersacks on top of shielded container assemblies (Moody 2010). The CH-TRU waste emplacement within the repository panels is shown in Figure DATA-B-11. The planned RH-TRU waste emplacement is shown in Figure DATA-B-12.

Figure DATA-B- 10. CH-TRU Waste Emplacement Layout

Figure DATA-B- 11. CH-TRU Waste Emplacement

Figure DATA-B- 12. RH-TRU Waste Emplacement

DATA-B-2.0 References

(*Indicates a reference that has not been previously submitted.)

Moody, D.C. 2010. Letter to M. Flynn (Subject: Additional information regarding Shielded Containers). September 8, 2010. Carlsbad, NM: Carlsbad Field Office.* [PDF / Author]