DOE/ORO/2327 Oak Ridge Reservation Annual Site Environmental ...

Annual Site Environmental Report
• 2026 Radioactive Materials Analytical Laboratory;
• 3020 Radiochemical Development Facility;
• 3039 central off-gas and scrubber system, which includes the 3500 and 4500 areas’ cell ventilation
system, isotope solid-state ventilation system, 3025 and 3026 areas’ cell ventilation system, 3042
ventilation system, and 3092 central off-gas system;
• 7503 Molten Salt Reactor Experiment Facility;
• 7880 TWPC;
• 7911 Melton Valley complex, which includes HFIR and the Radiochemical Engineering
Development Center; and
• 8915 SNS Central Exhaust Facility stack.
In 2009, there were 17 minor point/group sources, and emission calculations/estimates were made for
each of them.
5.4.3.1 Sample Collection and Analytical Procedure
Five of the major point sources (2026, 3020, 3039, 7503, and 7911) are equipped with in-stack
source-sampling systems that comply with criteria in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
standard ANSI N 13.1-1969 (ANSI 1969). The sampling systems generally consist of a multipoint instack
sampling probe, a sample transport line, a particulate filter, activated charcoal cartridges, a silica-gel
cartridge (if required), flow-measurement and totalizing instruments, a sampling pump, and a return line
to the stack. In addition to that instrumentation, the system at Stack 7911 includes a high-purity
germanium detector with a NOMAD analyzer, which allows continuous isotopic identification and
quantification of radioactive noble gases (e.g., 41 Ar) in the effluent stream. The sample probes are
annually removed, inspected, and cleaned. The 7880 stack is equipped with an in-stack source-sampling
system that complies with criteria in the ANSI Health Physics Society standard ANSI/HPS N13.1-1999
(ANSI 1999). The system consists of a stainless-steel, shrouded probe; an in-line filter-cartridge holder
placed at the probe to minimize line losses; a particulate filter; a sample transport line; a rotary vane
vacuum pump; and a return line to the stack. The sample probe is annually removed, inspected, and
cleaned. The 8915 stack is equipped with an in-stack radiation detector that complies with criteria in
ANSI/HPS N13.1-1999. The detector monitors radioactive gases flowing through the exhaust stack and
provides a continual readout of detected activity using a scintillator probe. The detector is calibrated to
correlate with isotopic emissions.
Velocity profiles are performed quarterly following the criteria in EPA Method 2 at major and some
minor sources. The profiles provide accurate stack flow data for subsequent emission-rate calculations.
An annual leak-check program is carried out to verify the integrity of the sample transport system. For the
7880 stack, an annual comparison between the effluent flow rate totalizer and EPA Method 2 is
performed. The stack effluent flow rate monitoring system response is checked quarterly against the
manufacturer’s instrument test procedures. The stack sampler rotameter is calibrated at least quarterly in
comparison with a secondary (transfer) standard. Only a certified secondary standard is used for all
rotameter tests.
In addition to the major sources, ORNL has a number of minor sources that have the potential to emit
radionuclides to the atmosphere. A minor source is defined as any ventilation system or component such
as a vent, laboratory hood, room exhaust, or stack that does not meet the approved regulatory criteria for a
major source but that is located in or vents from a radiological control area as defined by Radiological
Support Services of the UT-Battelle Nuclear and Radiological Protection Division. A variety of methods
are used to determine the emissions from the various minor sources. Methods used for minor sourceemission
calculations comply with EPA criteria. The minor sources are evaluated on a 1- to 5-year basis.
Emissions, major and minor, are compiled annually to determine the overall ORNL source term and
associated dose.
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