[DOE LETTER HEAD]

 

February 29, 2008

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger, Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004-290 1

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

SUBJECT: Completion of Recommendation 2001-1 Commitment 2.9, Demonstrate the

      Viability of the Deliquification, Dissolution, and Adjustment (DDA)

 

The Department of Energy has completed Commitment 2.9, “Demonstrate the viability of the Deliquification, Dissolution, and Adjustment (DDA)” of the Department’s Implementation Plan (IP) for Recommendation 2001-1, High-Level Waste Management at the Savannah River Site. This commitment entailed disposition of 100,000 gallons of DDA salt solution in Saltstone. The due date was previously revised to February 2008, following resolution of legal challenges. As delineated in the letter sent from Secretary Bodman on October 24, 2007.

 

On February 10, 2008, approximately 27,000 gallons of DDA salt solution were processed, and on the following day, an additional 25,000 gallons were processed. Due to higher than expected radiological readings found at the vents at the top of the vault, processing was paused until activities consistent with the Site’s As Low as Reasonably Achievable principles were completed. Specifically, vent filters that prevent contamination spread while still permitting the vent to perform its passive ventilation function were installed on February 26, 2008, and processing at Saltstone resumed. The balance of the 100,000 gallons of DDA described in the commitment was then processed, leading to completion of the commitment on February 29, 2008.

 

 If you have any further questions, please call me at (803) 952-6337 or Mr. Terry Spears. Assistant Manager for the Waste Disposition Project, at (803) 208-6072.

 

 

Sincerely,  

 

Jeffrey M. Allison

Manager

 

WDPD-08-043