Test plan for engineering scale electrostatic enclosure demonstration Page: 14 of 46
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Electret filters with high efficiency for collecting submicron particles have been developed to
clean air with less pressure drop than purely mechanical filters.5 Electret filters were included in the
FY-91 ESC glove box experiments and were found to work quite well.
The obvious application of ESCs is to establish enclosure walls that can attract, repel, or
neutralize plutonium/americium contaminants. By having a grounded (electrically conductive) surface,
charged particles coming in contact with the surface would be discharged with minimum number
becoming attached. Additionally, application of electrostatic devices in ventilation systems can
promote cleaning of airborne plutonium/americium from the aerosol.
2.2 Objectives
The objective of this demonstration is to show the effectiveness of ESCs for controlling the
spread of TRU contamination during waste handling operations. The effectiveness is assessed by
computing the removal of plutonium/americium contaminated dusts from aerosolized soil thus
representing a worst case TRU handling operation, such as retrieval of buried waste. A successful
demonstration would show that 98% of the activity present in an original dust cloud were removed
by the combined electrostatic control apparatus.' Detailed objectives include
" Evaluate the use of conducting fabric and hardwall material for construction of enclosures.
This demonstrates the advantages of a conducting surface for contamination control by
comparing the results with that of a insulator material such as polyethylene.
" Study the feasibility of using electrostatics to separate 239Pu from dust particles in an aerosol
such as in a ventilation system before HEPA filtration. This can be accomplished with a
parallel plate separator in the ventilation duct that has negatively charged plates and
grounded plates alternately placed in the duct.
" Investigate electret filters for possible use in the ventilation system for removing particulates
and radioactive particles. This type of filter has less air resistance than mechanical filters.
2.3 Data Quality Objectives
The data quality objectives include a peer review by a knowledgeable person of the data,
assumptions, and methodology and individual measurement analysis to verify that the data are within
the performance specification as detailed in this test plan. The following accuracy specifications
apply:
* Flow measurements shall be within 10%
* Mass measurements shall be within 0.0001 g
a. The 98% represents removing activity from a source term of 100 nCi/g down to 2 nCi/g, which is
the lower limit definition for radioactive material according to the Department of Transportation
definition from 49 CFR 173.401(y).3
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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/m1/14/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.