Calculation of unmitigated release from reverse circulation drilling of a borehole three meters south of borehole 41-15-09 near SST 241-SX-115

It is known that underground, single shell tank (SST) 241-SX-115 leaked 50,000 gallons of contaminated liquid to the soil. Now there is a campaign to more fully characterize the plume from that leak. To determine radionuclide concentrations in the vadose zone, boring into the soil and collecting samples of it are needed. It was decided to bore a new hole 3 m (9.8 ft) from existing borehole number 41-15-09, located near the south edge of the tank. Drilling and sampling will be done with the use of reverse circulation drilling, which uses compressed air to power the drill bit and sweep out drillings into separation and sampling equipment. Prior to drilling, however, it was determined that safety assessment calculations were needed to find out if postulated releases from the drilling would pose unacceptable risk to onsite and offsite receptors. Unacceptable risk would require the design and construction of safety significant equipment for prevention or mitigation of the release