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Effect of Nitrogen Blanketing on Soil-Side Corrosion Mitigation of the Double Shell Tanks at Hanford

High-level radioactive waste generated during reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Hanford has been stored in 149 single- and 27 double shell tanks (DSTs). Each DST consists of a primary shell (inner) surrounded by secondary (outer) shell. The secondary shell’s bottom rests on a concrete foundation.

Product Number: 51323-19354-SG
Author: Pavan K. Shukla, Roderick E. Fuentes, Bruce J. Wiersma, Crystal Girardot, Jason Page, Shawn Campbell
Publication Date: 2023
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Radioactive waste is stored in underground, carbon-steel double-shell tanks at the Department of Energy Hanford site. The double-shell tank design includes a secondary shell surrounding the primary shell, where the bottom plate of the secondary shell rests on a concrete pad that contain drainage channels. There have been instances of metal loss on the secondary shell bottom plates in contact with the concrete foundation where groundwater accumulation in the channels may have caused corrosion. In addition, uneven contact between the foundation and shell could create occluded areas where localized corrosion is potentially more severe. In previous studies, vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) were tested for their ability to mitigate concrete-foundation-side, i.e., concrete-side, corrosion of the secondary shell bottom. The previous studies showed that VCIs are effective in mitigating corrosion for both immersed and vapor space conditions. However, even distribution of the VCIs throughout the 85-ft diameter bottom of the secondary shell could be a challenge. This study investigated the feasibility of nitrogen blanketing to mitigate concrete-side corrosion of the secondary shell. Laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify the nitrogen blanketing effect on corrosion mitigation. The experimental data showed that nitrogen blanketing is as effective as VCIs in mitigating the concrete-side corrosion of the double shell tanks. Experimental results associated with the two corrosion mitigation methods for their application on the Hanford double-shell tanks are presented.

Radioactive waste is stored in underground, carbon-steel double-shell tanks at the Department of Energy Hanford site. The double-shell tank design includes a secondary shell surrounding the primary shell, where the bottom plate of the secondary shell rests on a concrete pad that contain drainage channels. There have been instances of metal loss on the secondary shell bottom plates in contact with the concrete foundation where groundwater accumulation in the channels may have caused corrosion. In addition, uneven contact between the foundation and shell could create occluded areas where localized corrosion is potentially more severe. In previous studies, vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) were tested for their ability to mitigate concrete-foundation-side, i.e., concrete-side, corrosion of the secondary shell bottom. The previous studies showed that VCIs are effective in mitigating corrosion for both immersed and vapor space conditions. However, even distribution of the VCIs throughout the 85-ft diameter bottom of the secondary shell could be a challenge. This study investigated the feasibility of nitrogen blanketing to mitigate concrete-side corrosion of the secondary shell. Laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify the nitrogen blanketing effect on corrosion mitigation. The experimental data showed that nitrogen blanketing is as effective as VCIs in mitigating the concrete-side corrosion of the double shell tanks. Experimental results associated with the two corrosion mitigation methods for their application on the Hanford double-shell tanks are presented.