DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 1
The second layer of defense-in-depth provides protection against anticipated and unlikely operational
events that might occur in spite of the protection afforded by the first layer of defense. The second
defense layer is characterized by detection and protection systems, and controls that: (1) indicate
component, system, or process performance degradation created by compromises of the first layer, and
(2) provide adequate mitigation and accommodation of the consequences of those operational accidents
which may occur. The WHB and underground radiation monitoring systems, the HEPA filtration
systems, and the WIPP emergency management program 25 provide this layer of defense-in-depth.
The third layer of defense-in-depth supplements the first two layers by providing protection against
extremely unlikely operational, natural phenomena, and external events. These events represent extreme
cases of failures and are analyzed in Section 5.2.3 using conservative assumptions and calculations to
assess the radiological and non-radiological effects of such accidents on the maximally exposed
individual (MEI), non-involved worker, and immediate worker to verify that a conservative design basis
has been established. These accidents include waste canister/drum fire and waste hoist failure.
1.3.1.5 Waste Acceptance Criteria
The waste accepted for placement in the WIPP facility must conform with the RH WAC 16 unless an
exception to the RH WAC 16 has been approved as a result of examination in relation to the SAR. Based
on the hazards and accident analyses presented in Chapter 5, specific waste characteristics used in the
development of the safety analysis, are required in Chapter 6 to be incorporated as RH WAC Operations
and Safety Requirements. A PTSR AC for Waste Characteristics require that the safety analysis criteria
be incorporated into the RH WAC. 16
The RH WAC 16 establishes minimum criteria that the waste must meet, and limits that cannot be
exceeded in order to ensure that TRU waste is managed and disposed of in a manner that protects worker
and public health and safety and the environment. The following waste is unacceptable for management
at the WIPP facility:
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Ignitable, reactive, and corrosive waste
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Liquid wastes (all waste must meet the RH WAC 16 criteria regarding residual liquid content)
Compressed gases
Incompatible waste (waste must be compatible with backfill, seal and panel closure materials,
canister, road cask, facility cask, and as well as with other waste)
Headspace-gas VOC concentrations resulting in average annual emissions not protective of
human health and the environment
Ç Wastes with EPA codes not listed on Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, Table II.C 26 .
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Waste with equal to or more than 50 ppm (50 mg/L) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
The WIPP facility will not accept waste that exhibits the characteristics of ignitability, reactivity, or
corrosiveness.
1.3-4 January 24, 2003