The EPRI Groundwater Protection Program – Technology R&D for Groundwater Protection

1. The EPRI Groundwater Protection Program – Technology R&D for Groundwater Protection Karen KimSr. Project Engineer, EPRI kkim@epri.com, +1-650-855-2659

3. EPRI Advanced Technologies for Groundwater Protection EPRI Role: Collaborative nuclear industry/utility research & development for cost effective tools for implementing groundwater protection programs.

4. EPRI Advanced Technologies for Groundwater Protection Background & Motivation • Leaks and spills of radioactive liquids • Contamination of on-site groundwater, potential for off-site migration • Stakeholder concern, environmental stewardship Objectives • Develop advanced and cost-effective toolsand technologies for groundwater protection: • Prevention of leaks and spills • Timely detection of leaks and spills • Effective monitoring and remediationof groundwater • Prevent off-site migration

5. Groundwater Protection Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plants (November 2007, 1015118) OBJECTIVE • Provide guidance for development of robust and technically sound gradedapproach for groundwater protection at nuclear power plants. BENEFITS • Developed by 20 nuclear utilities, NEI, and ANI. • Graded approach allows user to tailor a cost effective but technically sound program to each site. • Preventative measures against groundwater contamination • Groundwater Characterization Assistance Supplemental Support

6. EPRI Groundwater Protection GuidelinesKey Principles Evaluation of Systems, Structures, Components (SSCs) and Work Practices • Risk of groundwater contamination • Design and condition of SSCs Understanding Site Hydrogeology and Characteristics • Transport of existing or potential groundwater contamination • Developing Conceptual Site Model Implementing Groundwater Monitoring Program • Installing and sampling groundwater monitoring wells • Data analysis and management • Review and update of monitoring program over time Grade Approach • Baseline Program for all users • Toolbox of Elevated Program Elements for increased understanding of site hydrogeology.

7. EPRI Groundwater Protection GuidelinesBaseline Program – ALL PLANTS

8. EPRI Groundwater Protection GuidelinesElevated Program – MODERATE TO HIGH RISK PLANTS

9. Review and Revision of EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines • Biennial Review Cycle: • Review advanced technologies, experiences, lessons learned. • Review new policies and regulations • If needed, revise Guidelines. • 2009-2010 Review: • Reconvene EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines Committee. • Observations from EPRI Groundwater Assessments, Peer Assessments, OE • Focus on risk assessment of systems structures. • If Committee deems necessary, revise Guidelines 2010-2011.

10. EPRI Task Force for Groundwater Protection

11. EPRI NDE Projects for Groundwater Protection Fuel Pool, Transfer Canal, and Concrete Degradation Issues Workshop August 11-13, 2009 Charlotte, NC EPRI Contact: Nathan Muthu, nmuthu@epri.com Buried Piping Integrity Group (BPIG) EPRI Contact: Doug Munson, dmunson@contractor.epri.com

12. Monitored Natural Attenuation for Nuclear Power Plants (EPRI Report 1016764) ATTENUATION PROCESS Biological Chemical Volatilization Sorption Dispersion Dilution Radioactive Decay U.S. EPA & DOE Guidance for Superfund RCRA/CERCLA Sites: Hanford Lawrence Livermore Savannah River EPA Guidance DOE Implementation of MNA for Radionuclides EPRI Environment Sector Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents, U.S. EPA REMEDIAL TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEET http://www.clu-in.org/download/remed/chl-solv.pdf Guidance for Manufacture Gas Plants Inter-EPRI Collaboration EPRI Nuclear Sector Technical Guidance for Monitored Natural Attenuation for Nuclear Power Plants

13. EPRI Technology Innovation:Tritium Groundwater Contamination DetectionSoil Vapor Extraction System (SVES) (EPRI Report 1016765) TECHNOLOGYExtracts soil vapor from vadose zoneCondenses vapor for lab analysis for tritiumIf the tritium vapor is within the extraction zone of influence, detection will occur.System may provide early indication of tritium subsurface leak. BENEFITSMay require fewer monitoring wellsLess dependent on precise placementLess invasive (push-probe installation method) than traditional monitoring wells

14. Advanced Technologies For Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation (EPRI Report 1016763) • Passive Sampling TechnologySampling systems designed to minimize effect of measurement process on sample integrity. • Fiber Optic Sensors TechnologyRadioactivity detected through optical fibers for in-situ contamination monitoring. • Automatic Groundwater Monitoring SystemsAutomatic contamination detection through remote monitoring systems. • Innovative Approach to Physical BarriersContainment and control of contamination plume that does not require soil trenching. • Tritium Separation Technology Reduce tritium concentration in process fluids. HydraSleeveTM Grab Sampler BetaScintTM Long-term, Post-closure Radiation Monitoring System (LPRMS)

15. Software Tools for Groundwater Protection Groundwater Monitoring Data Management Tool – MANAGES Nuclear • EPRI Environment Group Software Tool • Collaboratively developed to meet utility member needs • Nuclear Version: Add radionuclides and associated statistical analysis tools • MANAGES Nuclear Forum for support & future upgrades Conceptual Site Modeling Tool – ROAM Nuclear • EPRI Environment Group Software Tool • Conceptual site modeling and evaluation of remediation options • Nuclear Version: Add radionuclides and associated data

16. Groundwater Protection Provisions for Advanced Nuclear Plant Design EPRI UTILITY REQUIREMENT DOCUMENTIdentifying design based structures, components, operating practices, and work practices that effect groundwater for incorporation into the EPRI URD (Spring 2008, Rev. 10) - http://urd.epri.com (EPRI Member Account Login) DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS Representatives from GE, Westinghouse, and Areva participating in ANP Groundwater ActivitiesInclude in Reviews of AP1000, ESBWR, US EPR NRC Regulatory Guide 4.21 Minimization of Contamination and Radioactive Waste Generation – Life Cycle Planning • Developed design recommendations to include in NRC Regulatory Guidance for the Implementing 20.1406 • 25% EPRI Recommendations adopted in DG-4012/RG 4.21 • Technical Support for NEI Template for 10CFR20.1406 Compliance

17. Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium (2009) http://www.recycledwater.com.au/ Background & Motivation • Tritium in air, water, atmosphere • Naturally occurring • Monitored gaseous effluents • Re-incorporated into site tritium concentrations through precipitation • Objective & Tasks • Understand effect of atmospheric deposition on site background tritium concentration. • Evaluate available science and technology and utility research • Deliverable • EPRI Technical Report: Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium • Expected Benefits • Distinguish between background tritium concentrations and tritium from inadvertent leaks and spills.

18. EPRI Guidelines for Groundwater Remediation (2009-2010) • Emerging Issue: • NRC Decommissioning Rulemaking: • Increase licensee awareness of residual radioactivity and its potential impact on decommissioning financial assurance. • Potential Rulemaking on Remediation: • May require remediation of contamination during operation. • Industry Needs: • Management of residual radioactivity from contamination events. • Strategy for evaluation of the need for remediation during operation.

19. EPRI Guidelines for Groundwater Remediation (2009-2010)

20. Nuclear Groundwater Characterization and Protection Program Assessment Assessment and recommendations for nuclear plant site groundwater protection. • Conceptual Site Model • Transport of potential radionuclide contamination through site hydrogeology. • Groundwater monitoring. • Potential Sources of Contamination • Systems, Structures, Components • Work Practices • Historical leaks and spills. Implementation of EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plants Cost Effective and Advanced technologies for groundwater monitoring and remediation.

21. Nuclear Groundwater Characterization and Protection Program Assessment • Project Description: • Focus the Groundwater Assessment for specific goals of the site: • New plant • Operating plant • Decommissioning plant • One week on-site assessment by EPRI Team of groundwater experts • Participation in Groundwater User’s Group • Deliverable: • Site specific report of observations and recommendations. • Benefits: • Independent evaluation of groundwater protection programs based on the EPRI Groundwater Protection Guidelines • Supports NEI Groundwater Protection Initiative [NEI 07-07] • Recommendations for cost effective and advanced groundwater protection methodology and technologies.

22. Groundwater Technology Demonstrations (NEW) • Project Description: • Groundwater technologies identified in EPRI Report 1016763 • Provide utilities site specific technical support for demonstration & evaluating technologies for site. • Development of procedures & evaluation criteria • On-site support for deploying technologies • Evaluation based on site hydrogeology, groundwater contamination, cost and labor, robustness of technology • Deliverable: • Site specific report of observations and evaluation • Benefits: • Potential resource savings (capital cost, labor, minimization of waste) associated with implementation of advanced technology.

23. In Plant Tritium and Water Management Model What? • Mass balance of tritium in plant systems • Tracks the transfer of water and tritium • Calculates generation and decay of tritium over time • Microsoft Excel Workbook Why? • Optimize transfer of water from RCS to waste/storage tanks • Liquid waste release at optimum tritium concentrations • Benefits: • Optimize waste and storage tank usage. • Minimize impact on the environment (groundwater protection.)

24. In Plant Tritium and Water Management Model

25. 2008 Groundwater Protection Workshop(in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Institute) • Status reports from nuclear power plants that implemented monitoring and remediation programs. • Status reports from EPRI programs developing technology for groundwater protection. • Insights from international and U.S. nuclear facilities and researchers.

26. 2009 EPRI Groundwater Protection Workshop (in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Institute) • September 15-16, 2009 in Charleston, South Carolina • Registration now open at the http://www.epri.com Events Calendar • Call for Papers: • Topics: • Regulations & Policies • Groundwater Protection Programs • Groundwater Protection Technologies & Tools • Atmospheric Deposition of Tritium • Risk Assessment of Systems & Components • Groundwater Protection for the Next Generation of Nuclear Power Plants. • Abstracts due to kkim@epri.com by Fri. July 10th • EPRI Groundwater Guidelines Committee Meeting - Thurs. Sept. 17th.