Storage risks associated with nuclear energy and the waste that it produces has been a point of concern for many environmentalists and energy experts. The risks associated with this energy source are well-documented. Examples include Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima, and most recently, the WIPP breach. While each disaster was to some degree attributed to human error, the public fear and hesitance towards nuclear power has spread. Although it is an efficient and reliable energy source, there is incredible risk and hazard associated with every facet of nuclear operations. The storage and transportation of radioactive material is still one of the largest areas of concern in the nuclear industry.
Underground Storage of Radioactive Materials
About 26 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico is the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). This facility is the world’s third deep geological repository and was designed and built to dispose of radioactive waste for 10,000 years. The construction of the site was spurred by the nuclear disarmament and the increase of materials left from the research and production of nuclear weapons during the cold war. Over the course of its operation, the plant is expected to cost nearly $20 billion.
The radioactive barrels are stored 2,150 feet underground in a salt mine. Salt is perfect for housing and containing nuclear materials thanks to a property called “salt creep.” At depth, salt will naturally deform to close and seal any openings in and around the waste. There were repeated issues with the location of the plant due to geological concerns, and pockets of underground brine at the plant’s current location have raised questions about the inherent effectiveness and safety of the plant.
Cause for Concern
During the time of construction, public opinion over the project was very unfavorable. In an attempt to sway public sentiment, the New Mexico Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) was created in 1978. Charged with the task of overseeing the WIPP, this group verified statements, facts, and studies conducted and released by the Department of Energy regarding the facility. At similar projects in other areas of the country, public opposition combined with geologic concerns made it much more difficult to continue with these proposals.
On February 14, 2014, a breach occurred in the underground storage facilities of WIPP. A barrel containing radioactive and toxic materials combusted in a chemical reaction, causing radioactive particles to be measured in the air more than half a mile from the site. It was later discovered that the explosion and subsequent breach was caused by contractors at Los Alamos National Laboratory packing a barrel with organic rather than clay cat litter, creating a delayed chemical reaction when the barrel was transported to WIPP. This issue prompted greater discussion about the possibility of failure in the vessels that contain the radioactive barrels during shipment.
Trupact-II Containers
WIPP has been operation for 15 years – during that time, up to 600 shipments of waste have found their way to Carlsbad every year. They arrive in steel vessels 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide that hold more than a dozen 55-gallon drums. This pack – called the Trupact-II – employs a double-penetration barrier design, making it near impossible for something to puncture the canister from the inside or outside. Weighing in at nearly 20,000 lbs with a full load, the storage containers themselves (three per haul) make up most of the 80,000 lb weight limit per shipment. Before it was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Committee, the Trupact-II design was put through a crucible of stress tests. It was dropped from a 30-foot height onto a steel platform, then again from 3 feet onto a steel spike. It was submerged in 50 feet of water and lit ablaze with jet fuel for 30 minutes at more than 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. It turns out that these containers have never failed, but have also never been tested to failure.
However, not knowing the breaking point of these canisters does not seem to worry nuclear energy officials. According to the WIPP fact sheet on Transuranic Waste Transportation Containers, the amount of force these vessels can withstand is nearly 20 times more severe than the average highway accident.
Our Commitment
Here at U.S. Hazmat Rentals, we adhere to strict chemical storage guidelines and principles and strive to make safety our top priority. Although we do not offer options for handling or storing nuclear waste, we wanted to highlight for you the complex and dangerous nature of industrial chemicals and the importance of proper safety precautions. Renting from U.S. Hazmat Rentals ensures that you will have the highest-quality chemical storage and safety equipment available. As explained above – correct chemical storage is a vitally important part of employee safety that can be disastrous is overlooked. Your workers are your most important asset, and we want to help you make that clear to them.
