Test plan for engineering scale electrostatic enclosure demonstration Page: 13 of 46
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2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The ESC demonstration is being performed at the INEL as part of the Buried Waste Integrated
Demonstration Project (BWID) under the Retrieval Related Technologies, Technical Task Plan
TTP-ID-132007. BWID examines promising technologies for demonstration purposes and develops
new technologies for application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites' waste problems.
The ESC research project was started in FY-90 as a promising component of an overall
contamination control scheme for use during retrieval of buried TRU waste. The conceptual design
for contamination control during retrieval was developed and included (a) dust control and
maintnance of the naturally occurring moisture in the waste zone, (b) ventilation of the retrieval
area, and (c) rapid detection of contaminants for both airborne and loose contamination.4 ESCs were
examined as possible collectors or repellers of plutonium/americium particles or soil contaminated
with plutonium/americium particles.
During FY-90 and FY-91, several promising candidate ESC materials were tested including
conductors, antistatic, and insulators.1 In addition, techniques were developed to measure particle
size distribution and plutonium/americium particle identification. These techniques were used to
evaluate the effectiveness of the curtains.
Work done under the contamination control research project studies, such as the electrostatic
enclosure research, will eliminate unknown information about the retrieval options for buried TRU
waste at the INEL. This information will be factored into a remedial investigation/feasibility study
and lead to a final record of decision for disposition of the buried TRU waste.
2.1 Background Information
Electrostatic charge can accumulate on materials that are insulators, such as polyethylene plastic,
and contribute to the spread of airborne contamination. Electrostatic charge build up can be
eliminated by using a conducting material that drains off any accumulated charges. A grounded
conducting surface not only collects a minimum amount of dust and contamination but also may
discharge any charged particles striking the surface. The FY-90, FY-91, and FY-92 ESC studies
demonstrated that a minimum amount of dust and contamination is collected on a surface that is
grounded. The results of these studies also showed that the positively charged plutonium and
americium particles are strongly attracted to negative surfaces in an electrostatic field. Because a
negative surface attracts and a positive surface repels positively charged particles, there is a basis for
control of charged airborne particles passing within range of the electric field. The charged particles
can be attracted, repelled, or neutralized by using the appropriate surface cond tions on the wall of
the containment space. This will also be true for combined particles (plutonium attached to dust
particles). If plutonium is attached to negatively charged dust particles and the resulting combined
charge is negative, the combined particles are attracted to a positive surface and vice versa. If the
combined particles have a neutral charge, they would be unaffected by the electric field and be
collected by the electret filter [or high efficiency particulate air (IEPA) filter] in the ventilation
system outlet.2
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Meyer, L. C. Test plan for engineering scale electrostatic enclosure demonstration, report, February 1, 1993; Idaho Falls, Idaho. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1317964/m1/13/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.