Characterization engineering status report October 1997--December 1997

Characterization Engineering (CE) continues to make progress in support of the project goal of characterizing the Hanford high-level waste tanks. Three core sampling systems were operational during this reporting period -- rotary mode core sample systems No. 2 and No. 4 and push mode core sample system No. 1. The availability average for all core sampling systems remained at the fiscal year (FY) 97 average of 43 percent. Three tanks were core sampled during the reporting period and 34 samples were retrieved. Average sampler recovery for system No. 1 was 77 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 76 percent. This reporting period included revision of the emissions permits for rotary mode core sampling (RMCS) with significant input from CE personnel. The changes included upgrading the portable exhausters to Major Stack and the preparation of a separate Notice of Construction for sampling in the SX tank farm using the existing facility exhauster. Because the portable exhausters are still being upgraded, the use of the SX exhauster allowed Truck No. 4 to be deployed during the period. During this reporting period there was significant progress made in other areas as well. Grab Sampling retrieved samples of waste from five tanks. Vapor Sampling was completed on ten tanks and was utilized in determining the passive tank ventilation rates for three tanks. The purpose of this report is to describe the status of activities and plans for Characterization Engineering (CE) activities. The reports are meant to be the status report for deliverables to the Characterization Project