Characterization engineering status report January 1998--March 1998

Characterization Engineering (CE) continues to make progress in support of the project goal of characterizing the Hanford high-level waste tanks. Four core sampling systems were operational during this reporting period -- push mode core sample system No. 1 and rotary mode core sample systems No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4. The availability average for all core sampling systems increased to 46 percent from the last quarter average of 43 percent. Six tanks were core sampled during the reporting period and 72 samples were retrieved. Average sampler recovery for system No. 1 was 76 percent, below the performance goal of 80 percent. The systems No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 goal of 60 percent was satisfied by overall recovery of 77 percent. This reporting period included the completion of modifications to Exhauster C for rotary mode core sampling (RMCS) and successful Acceptance and Operational testing. The portable exhauster was upgraded to Major Stack. All of the permit issues were resolved and the exhauster will be deployed when the Readiness Review is complete. During this reporting period significant progress was made in other areas as well. Grab Sampling retrieved samples of waste from fifteen tanks. Vapor Sampling was utilized in determining the passive tank ventilation rates for six tanks. The issues with the Authorization Basis for the Light Duty Utility Arm (LDUA) were resolved, and preparations for a Readiness Review have begun. New work identified during the quarter involves CE personnel supporting the Tank Farms Privatization Initiative (Hanford Tanks Initiative [HTI]) with the design of the sampling system, the nested fixed depth sampler for the verification of waste qualities prior to shipment to the vitrification contractors