**1** 

### DOCKET NO: A-98-49

Item: II-B3-102



## Emplacement Inspection Report

EPA INSPECTION No. EPA-WIPP-7.07-10c

OF THE

WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT

July 10 – 12, 2007

U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Office of Radiation and Indoor Air

Center for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

1310 L. Street, N. W. Washington, DC 20005

September 2007**2** Contents

**1.0 Executive Summary....................................................................... 4**

**2.0 Inspection Purpose and Scope.............................................................**  **5**

**3.0 Inspection Team, Observers and Participants........................**  **................... 5**

**4.0 Performance of the Inspection.............................................................**  **6**

**5.0 Waste Emplacement/WWIS...............................................................**  **8**

**6.0 Magnesium Oxide Backfill................................................................. 10** 

**7.0 RH Operation................................................................................. 12** 

**8.0 Comparison with Inventory limits.......................................................**  **....13**

**9.0 Summary of Results...........................................................................14** 

Attachments

**Attachment A – Inspection Plan......................................................... ..............15** 

**Attachment B – Number of Waste Containers Emplaced as of July 9, 2**  **007.........**

**.............. ................16** 

**Attachment C - Material Emplaced in WIPP as of July 12, 2007................................18** 

**Attachment D – WWIS Administration Status Display .........................................19** 

**Attachment E – Summary of MgO Safety Factor Calcula tions..............................**  **....20**

**Attachment F – Room 3, Panel 3 MgO Safety Calculati ons for August 27, 2006 .........**  **..21**

**Attachment G – Procedures Examined.........**

**.................................................. .....22** 

**Attachment H – Inspection Checklist............................................**

**.................. ...24** 

**Attachment I – Documents and Records Received Durin g the Inspection..................**  **.....29 3** 

Tables

**Table A Inspection Participants............................................................ .... 6** 

**Table B Waste Containers Reviewed During Inspection**

**................................. .10** 

**Table C Emplace CPR Quantities as of July 9, 2009...... .................................14** 

Figures

**Figure 1 Demonstration of radiation measurement in a plugged**  **RH borehole...........7**

**Figure 2 Arrangement of disposed waste in a room ......**

**............... ....................8** 

**Figure 3 Typical RH and CH TRU Mixed Waste Disposal Configur**  **ation............... 9** 

**Figure 4 Photo of disposed waste in a room.........**

**....................................... .11** 

**Figure 5 Emplaced CH waste in Room 6 Panel 4.................**

**..................... ......12** 

**Figure 6 RH Boreholes in the wall with disposed con tainers at 8 feet interval......**  **....12**

**Figure 7 RH Boreholes recently drilled for emplacem ent..............................**  **....13 4** 

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

**The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or t he Agency) conducted an**  **inspection of the U.S. Department of Energy** = **s (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico, from July 10 to July 12, 2007**  **, in accordance with 40 CFR 194.21. The WIPP is a disposal system for defense-related trans**  **uranic (TRU) waste as defined by the WIPP**

**Land Withdrawal Act. 1**  **EPA certified that the WIPP complies with the Age ncy**  = **s radioactive waste disposal regulations (Subparts B and C of 40**  **CFR Part 191) on May 18, 1998.**

**The purpose of this annual inspection was to determ ine if waste sent to WIPP during the**  **past year has been emplaced in the underground faci lity in the manner specified in DOE**  = **s Compliance Certification Application and other appr**  **ovals. A specific focus of this inspection was to review the site’s ability to receive, proces**  **s, and emplace contact-handled and remote handled TRU wastes within the repository, the empla**  **cement of magnesium oxide (MgO) backfill in appropriate amounts to fulfill DOE commitments a**  **nd requirements, maintenance of relevant waste packaging records, including the electronic W**  **IPP Waste Information System (WWIS). EPA looked at selected activities, such as RH and C**  **H waste processing, waste emplacement activities, and record keeping.** 

**EPA concluded that DOE** = **s emplacement activities are adequate, that CPR is appropriately**  **tracked and recorded, that additional MgO is calcul ated properly, and that MgO is emplaced**  **properly. While DOE does not necessarily maintain an MgO safety factor above 1.67 for**  **operational efficiency while loading waste in a roo m, DOE does place enough MgO before room**  **closure is completed to assure that the safety fact or is maintained for each room.** 

**EPA did not identify any findings or concerns duri ng this inspection.**  **EPA does have one recommendation: that DOE retain a photographic reco**  **rd that verifies the canister identification**

**number of the remote-handled canister as it is tran sferred from the transportation cask to the**  **facility cask and include the record with the perma nent record package.** 

**1 WIPP Land Withdrawal Act, Public Law 102-579, Secti**  **on 2(18), as amended by the 1996 WIPP LWA Amendments, Public Law 104-201.** **5**

2

**.** 0 INSPECTION PURPOSE AND SCOPE

**The purpose of this annual inspection was to deter mine if contact-handled (CH) and**  **remote-handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste sent to WIPP during the past year has been**  **emplaced in the underground facility in the manner specified in DOE**  = **s Compliance Certification Application and other approvals. EPA performed the**  **inspection under authority of 40 CFR 194.21, which authorizes the Agency to inspect the**  **WIPP during its operational period to verify continued compliance with EPA**  = **s WIPP Compliance Criteria and the certification de cision of**  **May 18, 1998. Emplacement of waste and backfill, i n particular, is relevant to compliance**  **because the emplacement method supports the models that DOE used in the WIPP performance**  **assessment. An additional purpose of this inspecti on was to verify that RH waste is emplaced in**  **accordance with the plan and procedures specified i n the Compliance Certification Application**  **(CCA) and demonstrated during the WIPP RH startup i nspection of January 9 – 11, 2007.** 

**Activities within the scope of this inspection inc luded: demonstration of the WIPP site’s**  **ability to receive, process, and emplace CH and RH TRU wastes within the repository, the use of**  **magnesium oxide (MgO) backfill in amounts to fulfil l certification requirements, maintenance of**  **relevant waste packaging records, including the ele ctronic WIPP Waste Information System**  **(WWIS) and the verification of appropriately implem ented quality assurance practices. The** 

**review and examination of the documents related to these processes was an important part of the**  **inspection.**

**The WIPP site is operated by Washington TRU-Soluti ons (WTS) under contract to DOE.**  **The majority of waste related activities onsite are described by or controlled through WTS**  **procedures. A list of WTS procedures examined for this inspection is provided in Attachments** 

**G and I.**

3.0 INSPECTION TEAM, OBSERVERS, AND PARTICIPANTS

**The inspection team consisted of three EPA staff. Thomas Kesterson and Dean Foster of**  **the New Mexico Environmental Department and Jerry F ox of Pecos Management Services also**  **observed the inspection activities. A partial lis t of inspection participants is provided in Table A** 

**. 6**  Table A Inspection Participants

4.0 PERFORMANCE OF THE INSPECTION

**The inspection took place on July 10 - 12, 2007, at DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO)**  **and at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) facil ity, which is located approximately 26 miles**  **south east of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The opening me eting with CBFO and WTS personnel was**  **held on the morning of July 10, 2007. Several DOE and WTS staff presented information**  **addressing program status, updates and changes sinc e the last EPA emplacement inspection in**  **2006 : primarily CH-RH waste processing, MgO emplac ement and waste record keeping.** 

**The EPA inspectors accompanied CBFO and WTS person nel into the underground**  **repository on the morning of July 11, in order to e xamine waste packages and MgO that had**  **been emplaced in Panel 4. Inspectors selected seve ral containers and recorded their numbers**  **(see Figure 5 for container locations); the records for these containers were examined later in the**  **WWIS computer database to verify correct waste info rmation is recorded by DOE. The WTS**  **personnel explained how waste packages are handled, emplaced, and answered EPA questions.**  INSPECTION TEAM

MEMBER POSITION AFFILIATION

**Chuck Byrum Inspector EPA ORIA**

**Tom Peake Inspector EPA ORIA**

**Shankar Ghose Inspector EPA ORIA**

CBFO / WTS PERSONNEL

**Mike Oliver DOE/CBFO** 

**Art Chavez WRES** 

**Randy Britain WTS** 

**Dave Kump WTS** 

**Dave Speed WTS** 

**John Vandekraats WTS** 

**Linda Frank-Supka WTS** 

**Mike Strum WWIS** 

**Ed Flynn WTS** **7** Figure 1 **Demonstration of radiation measurement in a plugged RH borehole** 

**In Room 5 Panel 4 inspectors observed the planning and arrangement of boreholes drilled**  **(BH 044, BH 097) to emplace RH containers. Measure ment of possible radiation leakage from a**  **plugged borehole was also demonstrated (Figure 1). The measuring device recorded a maximum**  **reading of 0.1 mrem per hour as explained by the op erator.** 

**The inspectors examined waste emplacement operatio ns in the underground and waste**  **that had been recently placed in the repository. T he inspectors also reviewed records**  **documenting that waste emplacement and MgO tracking were conducted in accordance with**  **procedures. To date, the waste received at the rep ository are contact-handled (CH) transuranic**  **wastes from Argonne National Laboratory-East (ANL-E ) in Illinois, Los Alamos National**  **Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico, Idaho National Eng ineering and Environmental Laboratory**  **(INEEL), Hanford Site in Washington, Rocky Flats En vironmental Technology Site (RFETS) in**  **Colorado, Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Caroli na, and the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in**  **Nevada. These wastes are in several configurations : Standard Waste Boxes (SWBs), 55-gallon**  **drums assembled in groups of seven called a Seven P ack, 100 gallon drums for supercompacted**  **waste, and Ten Drum Overpacks (TDOP). RH wastes ar e currently shipped to WIPP from INL.** 

**The inspectors also observed RH processing operati ons in the Cask Unloading Area, Hot**  **Cell and Radiation Monitoring areas of the RH bay o f the waste handling building and compared**  **the activities to the requirements as described in 72-B RH Processing, WP 05-WH1710.** 

**Inspectors reviewed the procedures with WWIS data administrators. Mike Strum (data**  **administrator) generated various reports for the in spectors at the Carlsbad Field Office. These**  **included Shipment Summary Reports, Waste Emplacemen t Reports and Waste Container Data**  **Reports for RH and CH waste. 8** 

5.0 WASTE EMPLACEMENT/WWIS

Figure 2

**Figure 2 Illustrates the arrangement of disposed wa ste in underground.**  **Represented are stacks of seven-packs of drums and standard waste boxes.** 

**The repository is subdivided into panels, each pane l consisting of seven rooms. At the**  **time of the inspection, CH waste was being emplaced in Room 6 of Panel 4. Waste containers**  **are stacked in columns (waste stacks) combining SWB s, drum packs, and TDOPs (see Figure 3,**  **4, and 5). TDOPs are always placed on the floor of the room, occupying the bottom and middle**  **position of a waste column. SWBs and drums are emp laced in no particular order with most**  **wastes emplaced as received. The waste columns are in a series of staggered rows, with a row**  **consisting of three columns that span the distance of a disposal room from left to right (Figure 2**  **and 3). Remote-handled waste is placed in the wall s on eight foot centers (Figures 3, 6, and 7).** **9** Figure 3

Typical RH and CH TRU Mixed Waste Disposal Configu ration**10**

**While underground in Room 6, Panel 4, the EPA inspe ctor selected recently emplaced**  **waste packages for review. The inspector read the shipment identification numbers directly off**  **the emplaced containers (See Figure 5 for CH locati ons). The containers selected are identified** 

**in Table B below.**

Table B

**Waste Containers Reviewed During Inspection (Panel 4, Room 6)** 

**CH Waste (Field verified)**

**Site of Waste Container Origin**  **Identifier Container Type** 

**LANL LASB00184 Standard Waste Box INEEL BN10173001 100-gallon drum**  **INEEL BN10147029 55-gallon drum**

**RH Waste (Panel 4, Room 5) Waste Emplacement Report and Container Data Report** 

**Site of Waste Container Origin**  **Identifier Borehole Number** 

**ANL-E ID0015 079**

**ANL-E ID0028 022**

**EPA inspectors examined reports from the following WIPP Waste Information System**  **(WWIS) modules:**

**• Characterization Module, linked to the Waste Cont ainer Data Report**  **• Certification Module, linked to the Acceptance/Re jection Report**  **• Shipping Module, linked to the Shipment Summary R eport**  **• Inventory Module, linked to the Nuclide Report, W aste Emplacement Report and the MgO**  **safety factor calculation on the Emplace Containers Underground (Attachments G).** 

**All records were found to contain the required inf ormation. EPA recommends that a**  **permanent photographic record of the RH canister nu mber be placed in the RH record package to**  **enhance traceability and ensure that correct contai ners are processed.** 

6.0 MAGNESIUM OXIDE BACKFILL

**Magnesium oxide (MgO) is used in the repository as backfill, as specified in DOE’s**  **Compliance Certification Application (CCA). EPA re quires DOE to maintain an MgO safety**  **factor (e.g. excess MgO) of 1.67 or greater, which means that MgO in amounts of at least 1.67**  **times the amount of carbon will always be in the re pository to control chemical conditions and**  **remove carbon dioxide gas. 11** 

**WTS Technical Procedure WP 05-WH1011,** CH Waste Processing, **Sections 5.0, 6.0 and Attachment 1 (CH Waste Processing Data Sheet), deta**  **ils steps guiding MgO placement and the required documentation to assure that MgO placement**  **has been accomplished correctly. Section 6.2 of WP 05-WH1011 states the Waste Handling Engin**  **eer (WHE) is to verify that the safety factor is greater than or equal to 1.67. Attachmen**  **ts to WP 05-WH1011 record the quantity and location of emplaced MgO for later entry into the W**  **WIS waste database.**

**Checklist items 4, 6, 7 and 12 specifically relate to MgO management and demonstrates**  **DOE has an appropriate process for ensuring that Mg O is properly emplaced. In addition to the**  **requirement in WTS Technical Procedure WP 05-WH1011**

, **DOE addresses the addition of MgO in the WIPP Waste Handling Operations WWIS User**  **'s Manual, WP 05-WH.01, Rev. 2, Attachment 1 - Special Requirements for Additional**  **MgO.**

Figure 4 **. Photo of disposed waste in a room. DOE is emplacing waste stacked 2-3 containers high**  **topped with MgO Supersacks. This picture shows all container types being shipped to date. L**  **arge drums are Ten Drum Overpacks (TDOPs), black barrels are 100-gallon drums with supercompac**  **ted waste, standard waste boxes, and standard 55-gallon drum 7-packs.** **12** Figure 5 **Emplaced CH Waste in Room 6 Panel 4** 7.0 RH Operation

**The first shipment of RH waste was received on Janu ary 23, 2007 and was emplaced on**  **January 28, 2007. A preliminary emplacement forecas t indicates that DOE plans to dispose a**  **total of 93 containers in Rooms 3 through 7 in Pane l 4. However, this forecast may vary due to**  **weather, regulatory or procedural delays and genera tor site shipping rates.** 

Figure 6 **RH Boreholes in the wall with disposed containers a t 8 feet interval** **13**

**EPA reviewed various aspects of RH waste “operation al MODES” (“MODES are established to**  **provide a safe, structural approach to facility ope ration”, DOE /WIPP-06-3178, page 1-7). These**  **include RH Waste handling, RH Waste Storage and RH Standby Modes. EPA’s review included**  **surface RH processing operations conducted prior to emplacement of the RH container in the**  **underground boreholes and underground RH processing activities. EPA reviewed the**  **requirements associated with these processes and fo und them adequate.** 

Figure 7 **RH Boreholes recently drilled for emplacement**

8.0 COMPARISON WITH INVENTORY LIMITS

**EPA has established limits for certain waste compo nents at WIPP by approving**  **performance assessment inventory estimates. Some l imits, such as for iron and other metals, are** 

**minimum limits. The amount of iron and steel are n ow at 5.38 x 10**  **7 kg. The minimum limit is 2** 

**x 10 7**  **kg iron. With over 300,000 kg of aluminum and oth er non-ferrous metals, the WIPP has**  **already exceeded the minimum amount stipulated in t he certification.** 

**Other waste component limits are maximum limits. Of special concern is the maximum**  **limit on the total amount of cellulosic, plastic an d rubber (CPR) materials. In the CCA, DOE** 

**estimated the limit for CPR was 2.2 x 10 7**  **kg and this is the limit EPA has required DOE to m eet.**  **However, in the subsequent performance assessment b aseline calculations, DOE added**  **packaging materials to the calculations, and now th e CPR limit for WIPP is**  **2.4 x 10 7**  **kg (see Table C). CPR values are tracked on a per containe**  **r basis and the current CPR values as of July 9, 2007 are listed in Table C.** **14**

**As of this inspection the WIPP contained 2.9 x 10 6**  **kg of CPR in waste and 1.3 x 10 6**  **kg of CPR in packaging material. In addition emplacem**  **ent CPR, such as the slipsheets used to aid the emplacement of the containers, accounts for ano**  **ther 0.3 x 10 6**  **kg of CPR. This is a total of nearly 4.6 x 10**  **6 kg of cellulosic, plastic and rubber material. Mos**  **t of this is split between the cellulosic and plastic materials; the mass of rubbe**  **r materials now account for about 4.5% of the total mass of CPR, compared to 7% in 2006. Thus, t**  **he WIPP is approaching 21% of the CPR**

**limit.**

Table C Emplaced CPR Quantities as of July 9, 2007 **(Source: Opening Meeting Handout)**

Waste CPR: Emplacement CPR: **Type Weight (kg) Type Weight (kg)**

**------------------------------------ ------------ --------------------**  **Cellulosic 1,002,795 Cellulosic 74,557 Plastic 1,714,192 Plastic 260,560**  **Rubber 205,068**
**Total 2,922,055 (kg) 335,117 (kg)**

Packaging CPR: **Type Weight (kg)** Grand Totals: **Cellulosic 829,226 Cellulosic + Plastic = 4,377, 113**  **Plastic 495,783 Rubber = 205,068**  **Total 1,325,009 (kg) 4,582,181(kg)**

9.0 SUMMARY OF RESULTS

**The inspectors reviewed emplacement operations and associated documentation for**  **selected containers. EPA concluded that DOE’s empl acement activities are adequate, that CPR**  **is appropriately tracked, the safety factor is calc ulated properly, additional MgO is added as**  **needed, and that all MgO is emplaced properly. DOE noted that the current safety factor was** 

**above the mandated 1.67 for closed rooms since the tracking officially began with Room 1,**  **Panel 2 and Room 7, Panel 3 at the time of the insp ection (see Attachment E).** 

**The surface processing of RH and the underground o peration of RH container**  **emplacement were explained and found to be accordin g to specified plans documented in CCA.**  **EPA did not identify any findings or concerns durin g this inspection. However, EPA**  **recommends that DOE maintain a permanent photograph ic record of the RH canister number as**  **it is removed from the transportation cask. 15**  Attachment A July 10-12, 2007 Emplacement Inspection Plan

Purpose: **The purpose of this inspection is to determine if waste sent to WIPP during the past year**  **has been emplaced in the underground facility in th e manner specified in DOE’s Compliance**  **Certification Application and other approvals. The objective evidence is the documentation that**  **EPA can use to verify that DOE is conducting its op eration appropriately.** 

**EPA is performing this inspection under the author ity of 40 CFR 194.21, which**  **authorizes the Agency to inspect the WIPP during it s operational period to verify continued**  **compliance with EPA’s WIPP Compliance Criteria and the certification decision of May 18,** 

**1998.**

Scope: **The scope of this inspection includes: demonstrati on of the site’s ability to receive,**  **process, and emplace contact-handled and remote-han dled TRU wastes within the repository, the**  **use of magnesium oxide (MgO) backfill in appropriat e amounts to fulfill DOE commitments and**  **requirements, maintenance of relevant waste packagi ng records, including the electronic WIPP**  **Waste Information system (WWIS) and the verificatio n of appropriately implemented quality**  **assurance practices. The availability of documenta tion of these processes and activities will be a**  **major source of review.**

Location: **The inspection will be held at the DOE’s WIPP faci lity located twenty-six miles**  **southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico and the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO). Inspection activities**  **will include examination of the underground facilit ies, review of records related to waste**  **emplacement, and other information as needed.**

Duration: **The EPA expects to complete its inspection in abou t two days plus an initial meeting.**  **Each full day will begin with an opening meeting at 8:00 a.m. and end no later than 5:00 p.m.** 

**with a closeout session.**

Expected Date: **July 10 through July 12, 2007.**

Documents For Review: **Electronically provide for this inspection the lat est version of pertinent documentation**  **and/or procedures related to CH and RH waste emplac ement, MgO, WWIS, training, etc.** **16** Attachment B

**Number of TRU Waste Containers Emplaced at WIPP as of 07/09/2007** 

**Contact Handled Waste**

**Site**

Container Type 100

gallon 55

gallon Pipe

overpack S100 Std

Waste

Box TDOP 85 gallon

overpack Dunnage

drum Dunnage

Std

Waste

Box 2007

total 2006

total

**ANL-E 0 318 0 0 0 12 0 4 0 334 334** 

**RL 0 4682 2128 0 270 232 0 78 0 7390 6159** 

**INEEL 8628 17883 0 0 1700 1942 0 569 0 30722 23564** 

**LANL 0 5719 295 13 350 0 0 669 0 7046 5040** 

**LLNL 0 678 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 688 688**

**NTS 0 1805 0 0 14 0 0 8 0 1827 1827** 

**RFETS 0 15460 21174 0 3910 4 0 529 0 41077 41077** 

**SRS 0 2380 0 0 474 1901 0 0 0 4755 4173** 

**WIPP 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 3073 13 3090 3006** 

TOTAL 8628 48927 23597 13 6720 4091 2 4938 13 96929 85868**17** Attachment B (continued)

**Number of TRU Waste Containers Emplaced at WIPP as of 07/09/2007** 

**Remote Handled Waste**

**Site** 2007

Total

**ANL-E**

**RL**

**INEEL 35 35** 

**LANL**

**NTS**

**RFETS**

**SRS**

**WIPP**

TOTAL 35 35

**NOTE: The drums listed for WIPP consist of two drum s of site generated waste, two drums from RFETS tha**  **t were overpacked on site, with primarily empty dunnage drums but wit**  **h some salt-filled dunnage drums.**

**Argonne National Laboratory - East (ANL-E) Hanfo rd Site (Hanford)**  **Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Labora tory (INEEL) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)**  **Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Ro cky Flats Environmental Technology Site**  **(RFETS) Nevada Test Site (NTS) Savannah River Site (S**  **RS) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)** 

**Drums = 55 gallon (208 liter or 0.208 m 3**  **) steel drums Pipe Overpack = 55 gallon drum pip e**  **overpack except for the S100 SWB = Standard Waste Box TDOP = ten drum overp**  **ack Dunnage = inert drums used to complete waste assemb**  **lies 18**  Attachment C

**Materials Emplaced in WIPP as of July 12, 2007 (Table configuration modified for simplification)** 

**CH WASTE:**

**MP Material Type Material Description Material We ight (kg)** 

**1 Waste Iron base Metal Alloys 4,409,840.85 2 Waste Aluminum Based Metal /Alloys 34,829.5**  **5 3 Waste Other Metal/ Alloys 267,080.21**  **4 Waste Other Inorganic Materials 1,033,089.91 6 Waste Cellulosics 1,006,250.90**  **7 Waste Rubber 205,468.94 8 Waste Plastics 1,716,987.26**  **9 Waste Solidified Inorganic Material 5,489,821.2 1**  **10 Waste Solidified Organic Material 301,181.8 1**  **12 Waste Soils 9,282.60**

**13 Steel - Packaging Steel Container Materials 9,463,057.44** 

**14 Plastic - Plastic /Liners Container Packaging Materials 496,012.31**  **15 Cellulosic - Cellulosic Packaging Packaging Materials 829,256.18**  **18 Emplacement Cellulosic Emplacement Material 40,388.44**  **20 Emplacement Plastic Emplacement 1,346,614.10**

**Material**

**RH Waste**

**1 Waste Iron Base Metal Alloys 2,551.70 13 Steel Steel Container Materials 19,646.**  **00 Packaging** 

**14 Plastic Plastic/ Liners Container Packaging Materials 41.08** 

**MgO**

**16 Emplacement Magnesium**

**Oxide 19,078,590.11 18 Emplacement Cellulosic Emplacement** 

**Material 34,299.90 20 Emplacement Plastic Emplacement** 

**Material 39,947.40 19**  Attachment D**20** Attachment E **Summary of MgO Safety Factor Calculations 21**  Attachment F **Room 3, Panel 3 MgO Safety Factor Calculation for A ugust 27, 2006** **22** Attachment G

Procedures Examined

**> COB-E2007-2 and -S8 :** CH Waste Processing **, Technical Procedure WP 05-WH1011, Revision 26; Effective Date: March 28, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-18 :** Waste Stream Profile Form Review and Approval Progr am **, WP 08-NT.03, Revision 8, October 18, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-17 :** TRU Waste Receipt, Management Control Procedure, **WP 08-NT3020, Revision 13, Effective Date: November 16, 2006** 

**> COB-M2007-J :** WIPP Waste Information System User's Manual WWIS Ve rsion 5.4a **, DOE/CBFO 97-2273, Rev. 12, March 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-16 and –S14 :** WIPP Waste Handling Operations WWIS User’s Manual, **WP 05-WH.01 Revision 2; Effective Date: October 5, 2006** 

**> COB-M2007-L1 :** WIPP Contact Handled (CH) Waste Documented Safety A nalysis **DOE/WIPP-95- 2065, Revision 10, November 2006** 

**> COB-M2007-L2 :** WIPP RH Waste Documented Safety Analysis DOE/WIPP-0 6-3174, **Revision 0,**

**March 2006**

**> COB-E2007-25 :** WIPP RH Technical Safety Requirement DOE/WIPP-06-31 78, **Revision 0, March**

**2006**

**> COB-E2007-S18 : S**

pecification for Prepackaged MgO Backfill, **Specification, D-0101, Revision 7, Revision Date: May 12, 2005** 

**> COB-E2007-1 : C** onduct of Operations **WP 04-CO, Revision 7, Effective Date: October 24, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-3 :** Horizontal Emplacement and Retrieval Equipment Asse mbly, Technical Procedure, **WP05-WH1700, Revision 4, Effective Date: February 1 4, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-22 :** Road Cask Transfer Car Operation, Technical Procedu re, **WP 05-WH1701, Revision 9, Effective Date: October 31, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-23 :** Facility Cask Transfer Car 41-H-003 Operation, Tech nical Procedure, **WP 05- WH1704, Revision 6, Effective Date: January 19. 200**  **6**

**> COB-E2007-24 :** RH Canister Transfer System, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1705, Revision 6, Effective Date: June 27, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-4 :** RH-TRU 72-B Trailer Unloading, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1709, Revision 10, Effective Date: May 16, 2007** **23**

**> COB-E2007-5:** RH Processing 72-B, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1710, Revision 8, Effective Date: May 15, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-6 :** RH–TRU 72-B Cask Operation, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1712, Revision 2, Effective Date: August 1, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-7 :** Facility Cask and Facility Cask Rotating Device, Te chnical Procedure, **WP 05- WH1713, Revision 6, Effective Date: October 4, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-8 :** RH Cask Preparation Station 41-Z-076, Technical Pro cedure, **WP 05–WH1714, Revision 1, Effective Date: June 21, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-10 :** Cask Unloading Room Shield Door Operation, Technica l procedure, **WP 05– WH1717, Revision 6, Effective Date: August 23, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-11 :** CNS 10-160 B Trailer Unloading, Technical Procedure

, **WP 05–WH1718, Revision 5, Effective Date: February 27, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-12 :** 10-160 B RH Processing, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1722, Revision 8, Effective Date: March 27, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-9 :** CNS 10-160B Cask Operation, Technical Procedure, **WP 05-WH1716, Revision 3, Effective Date: November 2, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-13 :** Surface RH Transuranic Mixed Waste Handling Area In spections, Technical
Procedure, **WP 05-WH1744, Revision 8, Effective Date: February 28, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-14 :** 10-160B Shielded Insert Installation and Removal, T echnical Procedure, **WP 05-**

**WH1752**

, **Revision 3, Effective Date: July 10. 2006**

**> COB-E2007-15 :** RH Waste Handling Abnormal Operations, Technical Pr ocedure, **WP 05-WH1758, Revision 4, Effective Date: May 17, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-19 :** Categorization and Classification of Operational Em ergencies for RH Waste, Management Control Procedure **, WP 12-ER3905, Revision 1, Effective Date: Februar y 13, 2007** 

**> COB-E2007-20 :** Hazardous Material Spill and Release Response, Eme rgency Response Procedure, **WP12-ER 4902, Revision 9, Effective Date: December 4, 2006** 

**> COB-A2007-D :** Consequence Assessment and Dose Projection, Technic al Procedure, **WP12-ER4916, Revision 10, Effective Date: July 12, 2006** 

**> COB-E2007-21 :** Radiological Surveys, Technical Procedure, **WP12–HP1100, Revision 10, Effective Date: December 14, 2006** **24** Attachment H 2007 EPA Emplacement Inspection Checklist

**#IIt #** Questions: Comments and Objective Evidence Results

Question: Waste Emplacement

**1 Is waste being emplaced in the underground facility in the**  **manner specified in DOE’s Compliance Certification/ Re** 

**Certification or other relevant**

**documentation? Yes for CH. Procedure WP 05-WH1011, Rev. 26, CH**  **Waste Processing, Steps 4 to 7, pages 25 through 29 describe the waste emplacement process. Visual**  **verification of the emplaced waste in Row 93 and 95 of Panel 4, Room 6 was conducted. SWB (LA**  **SB00184), a 55 gallon (BN 10147029) and a 100 gallon drum (BN1017301) were included in these** 

**rows. Yes for RH. RH processing procedures for 72-B (WP**  **05-WH1710) and 10-160-B (WP 05-WH1722) containers are consistent with the approach discuss**  **ed**

**in the CCA documentation. Satisfactory** 

**2 Are CH waste containers stacked**  **in columns appropriately given the type of container?**  **Yes, waste is being emplaced appropriately. Procedu re**  **WP 05-WH1011, Attachment 4, Waste Emplacement Report Data Sheet. The waste stacking arrangement**  **was verified during the inspection in Room 6 Panel 4.**  **Satisfactory**

**3 Are records adequate? Randomly**

**select three CH and two RH waste containers to verify records for**  **waste approval, shipment, and receipt.**  **Yes. TRU Waste Receipt WP 08-NT3020, Rev.13 describes the process. Records produced are Unifor**  **m Hazardous Waste Manifest, TRU Waste Receipt**  **Checklist, Shipment Summary Report, RH waste Processing Data Sheet, Radiological Survey Report,**  **and Waste Emplacement Report. See RH Doc Packages (COB-E2007-S6) and (COB-E2007-S7) for**  **example. CH waste produces comparable records.**

**EPA reviewed records and found the records to be adequate and traceable.** 

**Selected Containers:**
**CH -LASB00184 (standard waste box), BN10147029 (55-gal), BN10173001 (100–gal) (see Figure 5)** 

**RH -ID0015, ID0028 Satisfactory** 

**4 Is DOE properly emplacing**  **backfill material (magnesium oxide [MgO]) with the waste**  **packages? That supersacks are placed on top of waste stacks**  **according to procedure? Yes. Procedure WP 05-WH1011, Rev. 26, CH Waste**  **Processing, Section 5.0, requires MgO to be placed on**  **each waste column. While underground the inspector s**  **observed that each waste column had a MgO supersack emplaced (Figure 5).**  **Satisfactory 25** 

**5 Are RH boreholes closed properly?** 

**(Note also see #9 for tracking of RH in the U/G)**  **Yes, Correct borehole plug emplacement is described in 72-B RH Processing, WP 05–WH1710, Sections**  **19 and 20. Monitoring of smears is also described in**  **this document (Section 20.37). The inspector observed emplaced plugs, and radiation measurements**  **(Figure 1). After plug emplacement the maximum radiation reading in BH-42 was 0.1 mrem/ hour.**  **Satisfactory**

**6 Verify documentation for the**

**containers listed in item 3 - waste generator site transmittal of waste**  **to WIPP, WIPP approval, shipment certification for**  **transport to WIPP, shipment initiation documentation,**  **shipment received at WIPP records, waste emplaced in the**  **underground, and placement of backfill [MgO].**  **The inspector examined documentation related to selected containers - CH -LASB00184 (standard waste**  **box), BN10147029 (55-gal), BN10173001 (100 – gal)**

**RH -ID0015, ID0028. Inspectors verified that these**

**records exist for these containers and determined t hat**  **the documentation is adequate. Satisfactory** 

**7 Is the acceptance of the MgO backfill material from the supplier** 

**documented? Yes. Record of MgO specification from the supplier** **is available (see MgO Analysis 0702-1007, COB E2007-S3). The inspectors examined these documents**  **and found then to be adequate. Satisfactory** 

RH Waste Emplacement Questions

**8 Are RH containers approved for receipt, received, processed, and**  **emplaced properly? Yes. RH processing procedures for 72-B (WP 05-**  **WH1710) and 10-160-B (WP 05-WH1722) containers documents the WIPP requirements for processing RH**  **containers. RH Doc Package BC-ID0015.PDF provides an example of the RH receipt and handling** 

**documentation. Satisfactory** 

**9 Are RH containers appropriately**

**tracked?**

**Where is the information?**

**--In the WWIS, what report**

**--During the receipt/transfer process where is it recorded?** 

**--In the underground? Yes. Container Number ID0015, (Borehole 079) was** 

**tracked for verification. The Waste Container Data Report was generated from the WWIS. Container**  **disposal date was 04/24/07 and posted on the underground disposal map. The container data report**  **for ID0015 was generated by WWIS. WP 05- WH1710, Section 20.45 says to record RH**  **emplacement location on underground map. 72-B Cask serial number, 72-B Cask shipment numbers** 

**were verified and concur with WWIS. Satisfactory** 

**10 Content of RH canisters**

**--pick 1 to 3 canisters Borehole 079, container number ID0015,** 

**Borehole 022, container number ID0028**

**Waste Container Data Reports for these were generated by WWIS and EPA verified them.**  **Satisfactory 26** 

**11 Volume and mass and/or concentration of important waste**  **components and radionuclides (RH and CH)?** 

**Are they within statutory and regulatory limits?**  **Waste Container Data Report showing detailed description of nuclide information for the containe**  **r numbers – BN10147029 (CH) and ID0028 (RH) were**  **generated and verified by the inspectors.**

**Yes Satisfactory** 

Question: Procedure

**12 For the MgO needed for high CPR, are there procedures or** 

**documentation for the WHE or WHM (or other appropriate**  **personnel) identifying** when **and**

where **additional MgO is needed? In the WIPP Waste Handling Operation WWIS User’s**  **Manual, WP 05–WH.01, Revision 2, 10/5/06, Attachment 1 – special requirements for additional**  **MgO are discussed and CH Waste Processing, WP 05- WH1011 Section 5.0-NOTE, states that the WHE will**  **calculate the safety factor (SF) at the end of each shift** 

**and that the WHM must be notified if the SF is belo w**  **1.67. EPA verified that this process is performed (Attachments F).**  **Satisfactory**

**13 Is there documentation that**

**identifies** how **the MgO should be placed with high CPR waste?**  **Yes. Section 5.2 of WP 05-WH1011 requires that additional supersacks are to be placed in the waste**  **stack if the WHM determines that it is required. Satisfactory** 

**#** Question **:** Records/WWIS

**14 Does the WWIS adequately**  **document waste shipment and emplacements information for** 

**waste containers selected item 3 above? CH, RH**  **Yes. In the Waste Emplacement Report, the WWIS adequately documents waste shipment and**  **emplacement information. WWIS Waste Emplacement Reports, WWIS Waste Container Data**  **Report (for containers ID0015, ID0028, BN10173001) contain container number, shipment number,**  **emplacement information in the underground. These data were verified for waste containers by the**  **inspectors. Satisfactory** 

**15 Is DOE maintaining records of waste shipments and**  **emplacement properly? CH, RH Yes, WWIS Reports (Waste Container Data Report,**  **Emplacement Report, RH Receipt) and underground maps verify that records are properly maintained fo**  **r both CH and RH waste containers.**  **Satisfactory**

**16 Do the characterization module, certification module, shipping**  **module, and inventory module adequately record the required** 

**information? Yes. DOE staff queried the WWIS for this**  **information and demonstrated (via Waste Container Data Reports, and Shipment Summary Reports) that**  **they adequately recorded the required information. WP 05-WH.01, WP 05-WH1729, WP 08-NT3020**  **describe the procedures for recording of data. The inspectors examined waste containers, ID0015,**  **ID0028, BN10173001 documents to verify that this information is adequately recorded.**  **Satisfactory**

**17 Characterization Module -**

**Review a WWIS Waste Container Data Report. Does this report**  **adequately record the Waste**

**Stream Profile Form information? Yes. WWIS staff generated the Waste Container Data**  **Reports for BN10173001, BN10147029, ID0028, and ID0015. These reports contain Waste Stream Profile**  **information for each container. The inspectors**

**verified that this module contains this information**

**. Satisfactory** **27**

**18 Characterization Module - Does the data administrator verify that**  **DOE/CBFO has granted certification and transportation**  **authority to the generator/shipper site prior to review of**  **generator/shipper characterization**

**data? Yes. The Waste Stream Profile Form Review and**  **Approval Program, WP 08-NT.03, Section 8.4 documents that “...allows DA (data administrator)**  **approval of certified container data prior to shipm ent**  **of containers...”. The inspectors verified these approvals.**  **Satisfactory**

**19 Shipping Module - Review the**  **Shipment Summary Report. Does the report correctly record the**  **containers shipped? CH, RH Yes. The inspectors examined the Shipment Summary** **Reports for containers CH-BN10173001 and RH ID0028 and verified that each report contained the** 

**correct containers. Satisfactory** 

**20 Inventory Module - Review the Waste Emplacement Report.**  **Does this report adequately record the date of receipt, and disposal**  **locations of containers? CH, RH Yes. The Waste Emplacement Report (WER) records** 

**for RH-ID0015 and RH-ID0028 contain the container number, shipment number, emplacement data and**  **underground location. The inspectors verified that the**  **WER recorded the information adequately. Satisfactory** 

**21 Is MgO implementation appropriately documented?** 

**Where is it described?**

**Does the WWIS properly track MgO emplaced quantity and** 

**location?**

**Where is this described? Yes. Procedures WIPP Waste Handling Operations**  **WWIS User’s Manual, WP 05-WH.01, Section 6.2.5 and CH Waste Processing, WP 05-WH1011, Section** 

**5.0 and Attachment 6 describe and documents the process. MgO information is input by the WHE into**  **the WWIS computer database in the Emplace Containers Underground screen as documented in WP**  **05-WH.01, Section 6.1. Processing of released shipments, emplacement of processed containers and**  **emplacement of MgO on completed stacks are done as described in WP 05-WH1011. The inspectors verified**  **that MgO emplacement is appropriately implemented and tracked properly (see Attachment F).**  **Satisfactory**

**22 Is DOE properly tracking the MgO backfill so that the MgO**  **safety factor can be accurately**

**calculated? Yes. As noted in Q-21, above, procedures WP05-**  **WH.01, Attachment 1 and WP 05-WH1011 show that MgO tracking is adequate. The MgO safety factor**  **determination is shown in WP 05-WH.01 (Fig. 6-6, WWIS MgO Screen, see Attachments E and F) verify**  **that MgO is adequately tracked and the safety facto r is**  **accurately calculated and maintained. Satisfactory** 

**23 Is DOE assuring that the 1.67 safety factor being maintained on** 

**a room basis?**

**What methodology (equations) are being used to calculate the**  **safety factor? Yes. Procedure WP 05-WH1011, Rev.28, CH Waste**  **Processing Section 5.0 states that the safety facto r of**  **1.67 must be maintained. The MgO safety factor fluctuates with time. Attachment G shows an exampl**  **e of the MgO Safety Factor calculation. The inspecto**  **r verified that DOE maintains a safety factor of 1.67**  **for each room and that the factor is calculated properl**  **y, Satisfactory** **28**

**24 Does the WWIS accurately calculate the 1.67 safety factor**  **and recommend the proper amount of MgO to emplace?** 

**Where has this been verified? Yes. This is performed on a regular basis. WIPP**  **Waste Handling Operations WWIS User’s Manual , WP 05-WH.01, Section 6.2.5 and Attachment 1**  **describes the steps. During the 2006 annual inspection EPA verified that the amount of MgO is**  **properly determined and is documented in WWIS. The Software Validation Test, MgO Emplacement process**  **and Safety Factor Calculation Revision 0, March 2, 2005 documents the testing of the new modules added**  **to WWIS to track MgO and calculate the safety fact or**  **on an ongoing basis room by room. The inspector verified that this approach has not changed.**  **Satisfactory**

**25 Is there documentation that** 

**describes how the site will use and implement the MgO module** 

**of the WWIS? Yes. WIPP Waste Handling Operations WWIS User’s**  **Manual, WP 05-WH.01, Section 6.2.5 notes that the waste handling engineer is to input MgO data into t**  **he WWIS. The MgO safety factor calculation is done**  **routinely as described in WP 05-WH.01, Attachment 1. The inspector verified this activity (see Attac**  **hment G).**  **Satisfactory 29**  Attachment I Documents and Records Received During the Inspectio n

**> COB-E2007-S0 : Containers emplaced - Opening Meet ing Slides.**  **-List type of container and quantities emplaced fo r each site. Copied in Attachment B** 

**> COB-E2007-S1 : Waste materials emplaced as of 071 707**  **- List types and quantities of materials emplaced as of 071707. Copied in Attachment C.** 

**> COB-E2007-S2 : Waste materials emplaced as pf 071 707 – epa2.txt**  **- List types and quantities of materials emplaced as of 071707. Copied in Attachment C.** 

**> COB-E2007-S3 : MgO analysis 0702-1007 - MagChem chemical analysis of purity of MgO shipm**  **ent number SL9847189.**

**> COB-E2007-S4 : WWIS data input screen used to Em place Container Underground.** 

**> COB-E2007-S5 : RH Cast Unloading Data sheets, 042 307, WP 05-WH1729**  **- Records various steps of RH 72B shipment unloadi ng.** 

**> COB-E2007-S6 : RH document package for container ID0015RH**  **- Package includes: waste manifest, waste receipt checklist, shipment approval email, shipment**  **summary report, waste processing data sheet, waste emplacement report, radiological survey report, and**  **photo of container ID number.**

**> COB-E2007-S7 : RH document package for container ID0028**  **- Package includes: waste manifest, waste receipt checklist, shipment approval email, shipment**  **summary report, waste processing data sheet, waste emplacement report, radiological survey report, and**  **photo of container ID number.**

**> COB-E2007-S8 : CH Waste Processing, Technical Pro cedure WP 05-WH1011, Revision 26, 03/28/07**  **– Instruction for processing CH shipments.**

**> COB-E2007-S9 : WWIS Shipment Status Display 07120 7. Copied in Attachment D.**  **- WWIS display screen showing status of shipments being process for each site.** 

**> COB-E2007-S10 : WWIS Shipment Summary Report of c ontainer BN10173001**  **- List waste codes, radionuclide activity, and mat erial weights for each container.** 

**> COB-E2007-S11: WWIS Waste Emplacement Report for container ID0028**  **- Documents specifics about underground location o f waste containers.** 

**> COB-E2007-S12: WWIS Waste Emplacement Report for container ID0015**  **- Documents specifics about underground location o f waste containers.** 

**> COB-E2007-S13 : WWIS Waste Profile Reference Data - List the characteristics of a particular waste s**  **tream. 30** 

**> COB-E2007-S14 : WIPP Waste Handling Operations WW IS User’s Manual, WP 05-WH.01, Revision**  **2, 10/5/06**

**> COB-E2007-S15 : Waste Container Report for contai ner LASB00184**  **- List details about a specific containers charact eristics; such as: generator site waste stream**  **types, activities, weights.**

**> COB-E2007-S16 : WWIS Shipment Summary Report for container LASB00184**  **- List waste codes, radionuclide activity, and mat erial weights for each container.** 

**> COB-E2007-S17 WWIS Waste Emplacement Report for c ontainer LASB00184**  **- Documents specifics about underground location o f waste containers.** 

**> COB-M2007-W1 : Nuclide Report RPO380 from the WWI S at 1530 on 071207**  **- List the total masses and radionuclide activity for each Panel and Room.** 

**> COB-M2007-W2 : WWIS Shipment Summary Report for c ontainer BN10173001**  **- List waste codes, radionuclide activity, and mat erial weights for each container.** 

**> COB-M2007-W3 : WWIS Shipment Summary Report for c ontainer ID0028**  **- List waste codes, radionuclide activity, and mat erial weights for each container.** 

**> COB-M2007-W4 : Waste Container Data Report for co ntainer BN10147029**  **- List details about a specific containers charact eristics; such as: generator site waste stream**  **types, activities, weights .**

**> COB-M2007-W5 : Waste Container Data Report for co ntainer BN10173001**  **- List details about a specific containers charact eristics; such as: generator site waste stream**  **types, activities, weights.**

**> COB-M2007-W6 : Waste Container Data Report for co ntainer ID0028**  **- List details about a specific containers charact eristics; such as: generator site waste stream**  **types, activities, weights.**

**> COB-M2007-W7 : Waste Container Data Report for co ntainer ID0015**  **- List details about a specific containers charact eristics; such as: generator site waste stream**  **types, activities, weights.**