Skip to main content

WIPP 700C fan restart test results

The initial 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 radionuclide releases. The analysis of these samples is now complete and the results for both 24 hours and 5-days counting for alpha emitting radionuclides and 48 hours counting for gamma emitting radionuclides are summarized in Tables below.

 The highlights of the Test are as follows:

  • Low activities of 241Am and 239+240Pu were detected at the upper and lower sections of the release point at the fan shroud.
  • Activities for identified radionuclides in the upper section were 0.069 Bq (1.88 pCi) for 241Am, and 0.008Bq ( 0.50 pCi) for 239+240
  • Activities for identified radionuclides in the lower section were 0.019 Bq (0.21 pCi) for 241Am and 0.002 Bq (0.04 pCi) for 239+240
  • Concentrations are consistent with typical Station A readings, which suggests there was no additional contribution of activity from ductwork between Station A and the release point.
  • The Am/Pu ratio (10:1) is consistent with sample data from the 2014 unplanned release, thereby ruling out a global fallout or Gnome fallout sources for which the ratios are ~0.44 and ~0.26, respectively.
  • Neither Am nor Pu activity was detected at any of the downwind sampling locations monitored during the fan test.
  • Both the 24-hr and 5-day counts show essentially the same result, although the 5-day count resulted a lower minimum detectable concentration (MDC) and improved accuracy (counting statistics).
  • Highest 241Am concentrations of (1.44E-06 pCi/L or 5.22E-03 Bq/m3) were 10,000 times less than average household levels of radon (1.3pCi/L or 48.1 Bq/m3).

 

241Am,  239+240Pu and 238Pu concentrations, Counting time =24 hours

Sampling  Location

 

 

Start time

End time

241Am activity, Bq/sample

241Am activity, Bq/m3

239+240Pu activity,

Bq/sample

239+240Pu activity,

Bq/m3

238Pu

Activity

Bq/sample

Upper screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10 PM

0.0694

5.33E-03

0.008

6.11E-04

N/d

Lower Screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10PM

0.019

1.43E-03

0.002

1.23E-04

N/d

~ 17 meters downstream of 700 C fan duct

1/31/2021 1:46AM

1/31/2021 11:43PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

~45 meters downstream of 700C fan

1/31/2021 1:38AM

1/31/2021 11:52PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Onsite, 0.1 km NW of WIPP exhaust shaft

1/30/2021 11:29PM

1/31/2021 11:29 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Near Field, 1 km NW of WIPP facility

1/30/2021 11:07 PM

1/31/2021 11:57PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

WIPP East

1/30/2021 10:56PM

1/30/2021 11:49 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

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

 

241Am, 239+240Pu and 238Pu concentrations, Counting time =5 days

Sampling  Location

 

 

Start time

End time

241Am activity, Bq/sample

241Am activity, Bq/m3

239+240Pu activity,

Bq/sample

239+240Pu activity,

Bq/m3

238Pu

Activity

Bq/sample

Upper screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10 PM

0.062

4.78E-03

0.0063

4.81E-04

N/d

Lower Screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10PM

0.017

1.28E-03

0.003

1.73E-04

N/d

~ 17 meters downstream of 700 C fan duct

1/31/2021 1:46AM

1/31/2021 11:43PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

~45 meters downstream of 700C fan

1/31/2021 1:38AM

1/31/2021 11:52PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Onsite, 0.1 km NW of WIPP exhaust shaft

1/30/2021 11:29PM

1/31/2021 11:29 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Near Field, 1 km NW of WIPP facility

1/30/2021 11:07 PM

1/31/2021 11:57PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

WIPP East

1/30/2021 10:56PM

1/30/2021 11:49 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

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

 

Summary of Gamma emitting radionuclides (137Cs, 60Co and 40K) in 700C fan test filters (count time = 48 hours)

Sampling  Location

 

 

Start time

End time

40K activity, Bq/sample

40K activity, Bq/m3

60 Co activity,

Bq/sample

137Cs activity

Bq/sample

Upper screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Lower Screen of the 700C fan.

1/31/2021 2:45AM

1/31/2021 11:10PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

~ 17 meters downstream of 700C fan duct

1/31/2021 1:46AM

1/31/2021 11:43PM

0.98

1.47E-03

N/d

N/d

~45 meters downstream of 700C fan

1/31/2021 1:38AM

1/31/2021 11:52PM

Nd

N/d

N/d

N/d

Onsite, 0.1 km NW of WIPP exhaust shaft

1/30/2021 11:29PM

1/31/2021 11:29 PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

Near Field, 1 km NW of WIPP facility

1/30/2021 11:07 PM

1/31/2021 11:57PM

N/d

N/d

N/d

N/d

WIPP East

1/30/2021 10:56PM

1/30/2021 11:49 PM

0.89

1.01E -03

N/d

N/d

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