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Alpha CAM alarm set points in a salt dust environment
Robert B Hayes1, Marsha L Beekman
1Westinghouse TRU Solutions, LLC, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Carlsbad, NM 88221, USA. Robert.Hayes@wipp.ws
Health Physics
|June 6, 2002
Summary
Salt buildup on Continuous Air Monitor filters at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) requires careful alarm set point determination. Dual set points help manage responses to airborne contamination in the underground salt mine.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Monitoring
- Nuclear Waste Management
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is an underground salt mine facility for transuranic waste disposal.
- Continuous Air Monitors (CAMs) are critical for detecting airborne contamination at WIPP.
- Salt (NaCl) accumulation on CAM filters presents a unique challenge in this environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address challenges in setting alarm points for CAMs at the WIPP.
- To consider regulatory and site-specific requirements for CAM responses.
- To evaluate the impact of salt buildup on filter performance and alarm set points.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of regulatory drivers for alarm set point determination.
- Assessment of physical limitations imposed by salt accumulation on filters.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of dual alarm set points for graded responses.
Main Results:
- Salt buildup on CAM filters can interfere with accurate monitoring.
- Alarm set points must account for both regulatory limits and physical filter constraints.
- Dual alarm set points provide a flexible framework for managing monitoring alerts.
Conclusions:
- Effective airborne contamination monitoring at WIPP necessitates accounting for salt filter loading.
- A graded response system using dual alarm set points enhances operational safety.
- Site-specific conditions, like salt mines, require tailored monitoring strategies.