Preliminary requirements for the emplacement and retrieval of defense high-level waste (DHLW) tests in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

The requirements for emplacing and retrieving DHLW in the WIPP are summarized. Associated details are presented so that both the scientific intent and purposes for the test program can be defined and the parallel requirements of operational equipment designers are satisfied. The Actual DHLW Tests are divided into operational period, reference tests; containment period, accelerated aging tests; and long-term period, 1000-year-aged waste tests. Consistent with WIPP FEIS limitations, a maximum of 17.2 x 106 Ci will be used in these tests. Waste characteristics, tentative quantities, and test conditions are specified; details of associated instrumentation are also provided. The operational demonstrations for handling, emplacing, and retrieving DHLW in the WIPP are summarized. These demonstrations start with mock, nonradioactive canisters and conclude with actual, radioactive DHLW canisters. Test room considerations which can impact the operational demonstrations, such as room configuration and closure, and canister movement, are described. Hot cell design requirements mandated by the DHLW test and demonstration needs are listed. Finally, the tentative schedules of preliminary simulated DHLW technology experiments, operational demonstrations, and Actual DHLW Tests are provided