## April 2, 2003

**ORNL NON-REACTOR NUCLEAR FACILITY FACT SHEET**

### Building 2026 Radioactive Materials Analytical Laboratory (RMAL)

1.  **Background**

The original construction for the *RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS ANALYTICAL
LABORATORY (RMAL)*, Building 2026, was completed in 1964 with additions
added in 1967, 1969, and 1985 to currently provide 22,600 sq. ft. of
laboratory and office space. All the features of the facility were
designed for applying general analytical chemistry techniques on
radioactive materials and samples. The facility is equipped with
containment and ventilation systems to handle high levels of
radioactivity in hot cells (high gamma dose) and in glove-box systems
(high levels of alpha). The facility is also designed to handle lower
levels of radioactivity in laboratories which are segregated from high
contamination areas to mitigate cross contamination. The facility was
recently upgraded to include a new radioactive liquid waste system that
meets current regulatory requirements; the facility is fully equipped to
handle the packaging and disposal of radioactive solid waste typically
generated with analytical chemistry applications.

The RMAL analytical capabilities support a broad range of physical,
inorganic, organic, and radiochemical methodologies required for testing
and characterizing a wide range of samples from mixed-radioactive sludge
from underground storage tanks to spent fuel from a nuclear reactor. The
RMAL also provides analytical support to many projects and programs
involved with environmental levels of radionuclides and trace inorganic
and organic contaminates. The facility is equipped with a variety of
modern analytical instrumentation for the determination of metals,
anions, organic compounds, radionuclides, and physical properties. Major
analytical instrumentation includes ICP-AES, GFAA, ICP-MS, ion
chromatography, carbon analyzers and microwave dissolution systems for
inorganic measurements, and GC-MS, GC-FID and GC-ECD for organic
measurements. The RMAL includes a state-of-the-art counting room with
advanced instrumentation for the measurement of gamma, alpha, beta, and
neutron emitters.

The Radiochemical Analysis Group supports a wide range of analytical
chemistry applications associated with radioactive materials and
samples. The group is involved activities ranging from R&D applications,
special projects, operations support, ES&H support, waste
characterization, production support and emergency response.

**[Facility History]{.underline}**

The RMAL has always been an analytical chemistry operation but the type
of samples and the major programs supported have changed over the years.
A major part of the analytical work performed in the mid-60s supported
process development and operational activities at 3019. Some of the
other major programs supported over the years are listed in the
following table.

+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| Time Period       | Major Programs/Projects  | AEC/DOE               |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| 1964-1970         | MSRE/MSRP                | Reactor programs      |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| 1972-1977         | LWBR work                | Reactor programs      |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| 1976-1979         | Fuel reprocessing, HTGR, | CFRP, Reactor         |
|                   | LMFBR                    | programs              |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| 1980-1995         | Waste tank               | EM                    |
|                   | characterization         |                       |
|                   |                          |                       |
|                   | GAAT, MVST, BVEST, OHF,  |                       |
|                   | etc.                     |                       |
|                   |                          |                       |
|                   | Sludge/supernatant       |                       |
|                   | analysis                 |                       |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+
| 1996-present      | MOX fuel, ^238^Pu        | NE, SC, EM, DP        |
|                   | production, ^229^Th      |                       |
|                   | recovery, REDC & HFIR    |                       |
|                   | support                  |                       |
+-------------------+--------------------------+-----------------------+

Although the major programs supported by the facility changed over the
years the mission of providing analytical chemistry support on
radioactive materials and samples has always remained the same. The RMAL
operation offers a full range of analytical capabilities including
inorganic, physical, organic, and radiochemical measurements. The RMAL
is also designed to handle a wide range of radiological hazards
including everything from low-level (environmental) to high-level (high
gamma, high alpha) work.

**[Description of the cells, glove box laboratories, and the overall
layout of the building]{.underline}**

(Photos and floor plans are attached to the end of this fact sheet)

The facility is equipped with hot cells specifically designed to support
analytical chemistry operations which mostly include light weight
laboratory scale type functions. The hot cell bank includes six working
cells (6\' x 7\' x 11\') with 51\" thick windows filled with
concentrated zinc bromide; the design criteria for these working cells
was to limit the dose rate to 1 mR/hr at the window face with 1400 Ci of
^60^Co equivalent activity present in the cell. An unloading cell
located in the center of the cell bank is equipped with a 2-ton hoist
and a 5-ton pneumatic lift for handling shielded carriers used to
transport radioactive samples. Finally, there is a large storage cell
(8\' x 12\' x 8\') located next to the unloading cell that is designed
to provide safe storage of working and archive samples with an inventory
up to 25,000 Ci of ^60^Co equivalent activity (the storage cell has
limited access and should not be considered a working cell). Glove box
laboratories are also available for work involving high levels of alpha
activity.

Most of the analytical work is performed in radiochemical laboratories
that are located adjacent to the hot cell bank and glove box
laboratories. Most sample receiving, inspection, and preparation
operations are performed in the hot cell and glove boxes in support of
the laboratories where the analytical measurements are performed. It is
important to have the laboratories close to the preparation areas to
ensure good contamination control and ALARA practices.

2.  **Present missions**

# 

# The primary mission for building 2026 is to provide analytical chemistry support to ORNL nuclear programs and operations. Some of the major areas of work currently supported include the MOX fuel development program, ^238^Pu production studies, ^229^Th recovery from ^233^U, along with routine REDC & HFIR support. The sponsors for this work include NE, SC, EM, and DP.

3.  **Strategic Capabilities**

Building 2026 provides analytical chemistry support to all nuclear
operations at ORNL and any down time in our operations could impact
regulatory, compliance, and programmatic related operations throughout
the Laboratory.

+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **Program/Project Impacted**               | **Fund   | **Sponsor** |
|                                            | ing^1^** |             |
|                                            |          |             |
|                                            | **at     |             |
|                                            | Risk**   |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **Nuclear Science and Technology Division  |          |             |
| (NSTD)**                                   |          |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Transuranium Element production - REDC     | \~\$7M   | SC          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Mark-42 Processing                         | \~\$4.2M | DP          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Cf-252 Neutron Sources- REDC               | \~1.7M   | DP          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Cf-252 Sales - REDC                        | \~0.6M   | NE          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Pu-238 Production - REDC                   | \~8-10M  | NE          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Waste Process Development - 4501           | \>\$2M   | EM          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Th-229 Separations - 3019/3047             | \> \$2M  | NE          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **Engineering Technology / Metal &         |          |             |
| Ceramics Divisions**                       |          |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Fissile Materials Disposition - MOX fuel   | \>\$5M   | DP          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **Research Reactors Division**             |          |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| HFIR Operations/Experiment support         | ???      | SC          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **Miscellaneous**                          |          |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| Waste characterization, R&D projects, etc. | \>\$2M   | EM, SC, NE, |
|                                            |          | DP          |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+
| **TOTAL**                                  | \>\$35M  |             |
+--------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+

^1^ These program funding levels are base on FY2001 estimates.

Most of the DOE facilities designed for performing analytical
measurements on highly radioactive samples have been shutdown or put
into standby modes which should give ORNL a strategic advantage for
future nuclear programs. The recent challenges have been to maintain the
expertise and skill base required for doing the analytical work during
the tough funding environment we have experienced in recent years. If we
can maintain the skill level of our staff and keep the analytical
capabilities reasonably current, we should be well positioned for any
growth in nuclear programs.

Most of the major analytical equipment located in building 2026 is
custom designed for either remote or containment type operations. These
analytical instruments are installed in contamination areas where higher
dose and activity samples can be safely handled. All these features
contribute to better analytical detection limits and improved analytical
precision.

Sharing facility resources and interrelationships with other nuclear
facilities has been a routine practice for Building 2026 for many years.
These types of relationships have always evolved on an as needed base to
improve or enhance operational efficiency. The sharing of resources and
providing support to other nuclear operations is a normal mode of
operation for an analytical chemistry support operation.

Two current examples of these types of interrelationships include the
following:

1.  ^239^Pu production/processing development -- where REDC staff are
    using cell 3 in building 2026 to process irradiated neptunium oxide
    targets and prepare sample for 2026 staff for analysis.

2.  The Actinium-225 program has teamed 3019A, 2026, and 3047 to
    separate ^229^Th from the aged ^233^U inventory stored at 3019A. The
    RMAL staff dissolves the ^233^U and separates the ^229^Th in cell 5
    of building 2026. The thorium product is then transferred to 3047
    for final clean-up and distribution of the ^225^Ac.

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4.  **DOE Program Facility Sponsor**

The office of Science is the DOE landlord but they provide no baseline
funding. Historically, the RMAL operation has not received any
significant level of direct funding; almost all funding has been based
on an allocated effort with 100% cost recovery. The service rate for
analytical support work also included the costs for facility operations.

5.  **Projected FY 2003 - FY 2007 Budgets by Major Activity/Sponsor**

Year (X\$1,000,000)

### Major Project/Analytical Support 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

-   operating funds by sponsor \$3.3 \$3.6 \$3.8 \$3.9 \$4.0

-   capital funds by sponsor \$0 \$0 \$0 \$0 \$0

-   related funding in other areas by sponsor \$0 \$0 \$0 \$0 \$0

> Note: The budget estimates listed in this table represent costs to
> other ORNL nuclear programs since almost all the work performed by
> 2026 staff supports these programs (i.e., these budget number
> represent indirect costs).

6.  **Facility Utilization**

Year (% utilized)

Project/Facility Usage 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

-Analytical (General)

• cells 1, 2 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• glove box lab 136 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

• radiochemical hoods lab 100 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods lab 101 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods lab 102 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods lab 103 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods lab 133 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods lab 138 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods South Add. 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

• radiochemical hoods West Add. 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%

-MOX Fuel

• cells 2,3 50% 50% 50% 0% 0%

\-^238^Pu production

• cell 3 50% 50% 50% 0% 0%

\-^229^Th recovery/^233^U repackaging

• cell 5 50% 50% 0% 0% 0%

7.  **Recent Investments in Facility or Equipment**

The most significant investment in the facility was the replacement of
the LLLW drain lines to the hot cells and radiochemical laboratories.
This upgrade also included the addition of a new 2000 gallon underground
storage tank and monitoring control station. This fairly new LLLW waste
system meets current RCRA requirements for double containment of all
underground piping. The construction activities for this waste system
were completed in the mid-90s and the system was funded by the Bethel
Valley LLLW Upgrade which was a line item project. The cost for the
building 2026 upgrade was in excess of \$20M.

Other recent investments include a new chiller (\~1996) for the main air
conditioning and a new roof (\~2000).

8.  **Needed Upgrades/Replacements for Mission Needs**

There are no significant upgrades or replacements needed to meet current
mission goals. There are some modifications/upgrades to the ventilation
system that would be required before additional radiochemical hoods or
other types of containment systems could be added to meet future mission
needs.

There are no identified funding sources for capital equipment to
maintain and update analytical capabilities.

9.  **Current Regulatory or Compliance Issues**

No significant regulatory or compliance issues currently identified. A
few areas have been identified that contain asbestos pipe insulation and
most of the remaining floor tiles throughout the facility contain
asbestos fibers. All of these asbestos containing materials are in good
condition with no loose or friable material present.

10. **Liquid and Gaseous Waste System Issues**

Building 2026 has a stand-alone ventilation system and has never used
the 3039 stack. The LLLW system in all the laboratories and hot cells
for building 2026 were replaced in the mid-90s as part of the Bethel
Valley LLLW Upgrade project. All the unexposed LLLW drain lines in
building 2026 are doubly contained to meet current RCRA requirements. A
new 2000 gallon storage tank with a Monitoring Control Station (MCA) was
also constructed during the upgrade project.

11. **ORNL Strategy for Facility Close Out**

Building 2026 is designed to perform analytical chemistry operations on
radioactive samples which requires the following characteristics in the
facility design:

a.  The hot cells must be designed with easy access from both the front
    and back of the containment area to facilitate the frequent changes
    and setup of analytical instruments, experiments, and other
    analytical operations needed for sample preparation. Also, we must
    have a simple process to remove sample dilutions for addition
    measurements, such as the front access doors used on the 2026 hot
    cells.

b.  The hot cells at building 2026 have a large shielded access door
    that can be pulled back for easy installation of analytical
    equipment and instruments.

c.  These hot cells are equipped with utilities to support analytical
    operations, including process water, distilled water, power outlets,
    and house vacuum.

d.  The front of the hot cells need to have numerous ports available to
    pass signal cables, power cables, or various types of tubing to
    support analytical operations.

e.  Analytical hot cells must be capable of handling highly radioactive
    samples with high levels of both beta and alpha activity.

f.  Analytical hot cell operations require light weight manipulators
    capable of performing precise handling and manipulation of
    samples\...the heavy duty types of manipulators typically used in
    processing hot cells are not very useful for analytical operations.

g.  Analytical operations require that we frequently decontaminate and
    clean hot cell to avoid cross contamination of samples and/or
    experiments. Therefore, it is important to have in-cell access to a
    liquid low-level waste system for washing down the interior cell
    walls and in-cell equipment.

h.  The hot cell support laboratories, which include both radiochemical
    hoods and glove box operations, must be located close to the hot
    cell bank to facilitate to transfer of samples. If the laboratory
    operations are not located in the same facility it could
    significantly increase the analytical costs due to both packaging
    and transportation, and increase the potential for the release of
    radioactive material.

There are no hot cell facilities located at ORNL that would meet the
needs for an analytical chemistry operation. Either a new facility would
be required or an existing facility would have to be equipped with some
new modular types hot cell to replace the require functionality.
Therefore, the cost to transfer the current analytical capabilities to
another facility would be well in excess of \$10M. The cost to put
building 2026 into a hot standby condition would be \~\$1M per year; the
cost for cold standby is estimate to be \~ \$500K per year to maintain
HVAC and do surveillances.

ATTACHMENTS

![](media/image1.png){width="7.199305555555555in"
height="5.646527777777778in"}

Figure 1 RMAL First Floor Plan

![](media/image2.png){width="7.173611111111111in"
height="5.479861111111111in"}

Figure 2 RMAL Second Floor Plan