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700 C Fan Test Results

700 C Fan Test Results

The initial four-hour test of the WIPP 700-C fan was conducted on Jan 31, 2021. During this test, CEMRC collected air particulate samples at the release point, and several other locations in the surrounding environment, to monitor for any radiological release that may occur during the test. The CEMRC has completed preliminary analyses of the air particulate samples collected during the test and the highlights from the results are:

  • Extremely low levels of Am241 and Pu239/240 activity were detectable at the release point, the upper and lower fan shroud of the 700C fan.
  • The total activities for each sample were 0.088 Bq (2.37 pCi) of Am241 and 0.01Bq ( 0.25 pCi) of Pu239+240
  • The levels detected are consistent with concentrations typically observed at Station A, suggesting there was no additional contribution from the ductwork or the 700C fan
  • The ratios of Am/Pu are consistent with previous sampling results, indicating the detected activity is from the original 2014 radiological release
  • No activity was detected at any of the downstream sampling locations.
  • The activity per unit volume (pCi/l) concentrations would also be extremely low.

Analyses data are provided in the Tables below:

241Am, 239+240Pu and 238Pu concentrations

Sampling  Location     Start time End time 241Am activity, Bq/sample 239+240Pu activity, Bq/sample 238PuActivity Bq/sample
Upper fan shroud of the 700C fan. 1/31/2021 2:45 1/31/2021 11:10 0.069 0.008 N/d
Lower fan shroud of the 700C fan. 1/31/2021 2:45 1/31/2021 11:10 0.019 0.002 N/d
~ 17 meters downstream of 700 C fan duct 1/31/2021 1:46 1/31/2021 11:43 N/d N/d N/d
~45 meters downstream of 700C fan 1/31/2021 1:38 1/31/2021 11:52 N/d N/d N/d
Onsite, 0.1 km NW of WIPP exhaust shaft 1/30/2021 23:29 1/31/2021 11:29 N/d N/d N/d
Near Field, 1 km NW of WIPP facility 1/30/2021 23:07 1/31/2021 11:57 N/d N/d N/d
WIPP East 1/30/2021 22:56 1/30/2021 11:49 N/d N/d N/d  

N/d = no detection or activities below minimum detectable concentrations

Gamma emitting radionuclides (137Cs, 60Co and 40K)

Sampling  Location   Start time End time 137Cs activity, Bq/sample 60Co activity, Bq/sample 40K Activity Bq/sample
Upper fan shroud of the 700C fan. 1/31/2021 2:45 1/31/2021 11:10 N/d N/d N/d
Lower fan shroud of the 700C fan. 1/31/2021 2:45 1/31/2021 11:10 N/d N/d N/d
~ 17 meters downstream of 700 C fan duct 1/31/2021 1:46 1/31/2021 11:43 N/d N/d N/d
~45 meters downstream of 700C fan 1/31/2021 1:38 1/31/2021 11:52 N/d N/d N/d
Onsite, 0.1 km NW of WIPP exhaust shaft 1/30/2021 23:29 1/31/2021 11:29 N/d N/d N/d
Near Field, 1 km NW of WIPP facility 1/30/2021 23:07 1/31/2021 11:57 N/d N/d N/d
WIPP East 1/30/2021 22:56 1/30/2021 11:49 N/d N/d N/d

N/d = no detection or activities below minimum detectable concentrations

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