Photo Archive, 2007

Take a Look at Our Project Activity during 2007

During 2007, NASA has been making significant progress in several areas of the Decommissioning Project. Here is a look at our recent progress.

Hot Cell Equipment Removal and Decontamination

NASA reached another significant milestone in the Decommissioning Project this spring with the decontamination of the seven Hot Cells, room where reactor experiments had once been analyzed. Workers from subcontractor MOTA Corp. were able to successfully clean the structures to project cleanup levels. They also removed and cleaned the concrete slabs that had served as the roof ands divider walls of the cells to what are termed “free release” levels, meaning the concrete could be recycled and reused. Removal and cleaning of the roof and walls meant NASA resulted in 500,000 pounds of clean concrete and 100,000 pounds of clean steel, saving NASA the cost of shipping the material to a licensed disposal facility.

To view larger images click on the thumbnail images.

Photo to the right is the Hot Pipe Tunnel shown before decontamination of its walls, roof and floors began this spring. A string of temporary lights runs the length of the roof.

These two photos from November 2006 are exterior views of Hot Cells #1 and #2. The Before photo shows the Hot Cell roof and walls largely intact and yellow staging mounted near the walls. The After photo shows the roof and walls partially removed. At the center of the right-hand photo is a stack of concrete slabs removed from the cells' roof and walls.	Before	After

Fan House Basement Decontamination

Based on the success of decontamination work in the Hot Cells, NASA proceeded with cleaning the concrete floors, walls and roofs in other Reactor Facility buildings and structures. This spring and summer, workers from subcontractor MOTA Corp. decontaminated the basement of the Fan House (which had once been part of the Reactor Facility ventilation system) and the Hot Pipe Tunnel (which had been used to house vent and drain lines, running from Hot Cells to the Fan House). Workers used the Brok, a remote- controlled, track mounted machine resembling a small backhoe – which had been used in the Hot Cells – to scrape away concrete up to two inches at a time. They also employed the smaller Marcrist floor shaver. This machine, which had a vacuum hose attached for dust control, shaved away lightly contaminated floor concrete a quarter-inch at a time. After the use of both machines, the underlying concrete was surveyed to assure that project cleanup levels were met.

To view larger images click on the thumbnail images.

The photo to the left shows two workers from MOTA Corp, in white helmets and yellow protective suits. They are beginning work on the floor. The worker to the left is operating a yellow machine with a gray vacuum hose, known as a Marcrist floor shaver. The worker to the right is examining the floor and nearby wall.
The middle photo shows a worker to the left shaving away lightly contaminated concrete while the worker to the right crouches to take a look at the floor and work to do.
The photo to the right shows a large area of the Fan House basement floor decontaminated. An area to the left of the photo, marked by barrels is still awaiting work.

Hot Pipe Tunnel

The Hot Pipe Tunnel is shown before decontamination of its walls, roof and floors began this spring. A string of temporary lights runs the length of the roof.
First photo to the right is the yellow arm of the Brok is shown with a rotating scraper head attached (the black item to the left of the yellow arm) waiting to begin work on the Hot Pipe Tunnel floor. The photo to the far right shows the yellow-gloved hand of a worker examines the floor after the Brok has removed a layer of concrete, leaving scrape marks in the underlying concrete.
A worker in yellow protective gear is shown holding a brown monitoring device to measure radiation on the wall of the Hot Pipe Tunnel after a thin layer of concrete was shaved away, leaving the underlying concrete clean.

Decontamination of Embedded Piping

NASA is closing in on a significant project milestone: the decontamination and surveying of embedded piping in Reactor Facility buildings and grounds. These are pipe systems encased in concrete as much as 46 feet below ground. Subcontractor BSI has completed work on more than 19,000 feet of this piping - close to 99% of the total - that now meets Decommissioning Project cleanup levels. NASA will begin grouting (applying a cement-like mixture) inside the cleaned and surveyed piping in August, the final step in the process.

Workers improvised a wheeled tool for cleaning and surveying water mains in the Reactor Building and Primary Pump House, whose pipes - 24 inches in diameter - were the largest pipes encased in concrete. The four orange wheels at the bottom of this tool enabled the device to clean the inside of the pipes and then monitor the radiation levels (note the wires and cables attached to the device).
A worker from subcontractor BSI holds a cable to which a radiation monitor is attached. He is cleaning electrical and pipe conduits in the Hot Cells. To the right is a hand-held, roto-cleaning tool, which resembles a drill.

WEMS Pit

Last fall and early winter saw a crew from subcontractor MOTA Corp. clean out the WEMS Pit, an outdoor structure that was once part of the Waste Effluent Monitoring System. When the Reactor facility was operational, the WEMS ensured that water from reactor operations met strict discharge guidelines. Over the course of more than three decades, the WEMS Pit became filled with leaves, grass, other organic material and rainwater. To support this work, storm drain lines that normally discharge into the pit were blocked, and an alternate pumping arrangement instituted. Organic material removed from the pit was placed in a nearby on-site area. Due to flooding which took place during heavy rains last December, workers from MOTA and BSI returned to the WEMS Pit this spring to complete decontamination work.

To view larger images click on the thumbnail images.

To the left in this photo is the WEMS Pit, an outdoor structure located near the Reactor Facility fence line (which can be seen in the background). A crew from subcontractor MOTA Corp. is shown at work. Notice the ladders in the pit and the yellow hose running from the pit at the center of the photo.
Two workers in white helmets stand in water in the WEMS pit. The yellow arm of a backhoe holds a rectangular bucket, being used to excavate mud and organic material from the pit at the center of the photo.
The yellow arm of the backhoe and its bucket are shown moving material into a waiting dump truck which is covered with a blue tarp.
NASA completed the WEMS Pit cleanup in June. The worker at the center of this photo is using a power washer to clean the wall of the pit. A green hose running from the top of the wall at the left of the photo was used to remove the remaining water from the pit and into the tank of the truck in the upper part of the photo.

Plum Brook Off-Site Sampling

Since November 2005, NASA has taken and analyzed literally thousands of sediment samples in an area along Plum Brook, extending from the Plum Brook Station fence line to East Sandusky Bay . All samples results were consistent with earlier tests, with very low levels of Cesium, well below any levels that would pose a health concern to the public. No cesium has been found in surface water or groundwater. In September 2006, NASA began work with Sandusky - based Haag Environmental, experts in stream hydrogeology, on an additional, final phase of sampling, to examine the possible movement over time, of tiny amounts of cesium resulting from reactor operations from 1962 to 1973.

NASA has been working with Haag Enviro to make sure every nook and cranny of the area has been sampled – such that we fully understand where any remaining amounts of cesium may have been transported. Sampling began last September, and continued through this July, covering areas including: East Sandusky Bay at the mouth of Plum Brook, silt from existing groundwater wells, three ponds along Plum Brook, plus extensive areas of Putnam Marsh and floodplain wetlands areas. The testing used a probe known as a Vibracore, a ten-foot-long, gas powered pole that can reach down into sediment and a “gamma logger” – a steel tube device that can be inserted into shale. Sampling results were consistent with those found earlier, confirming only very isolated areas with elevated levels, presenting no public health concern. NASA is working with Haag Enviro on a series of reports for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

For further information, please click on the link to the article in the October 2006, February 2007 and June 2007 editions of our newsletter.

To view larger images click on the thumbnail images.

A close-up shot shows three workers in the water, close to the shore of Sandusky Bay . The worker to the right is inserting a probe into the bottom of the bay to take a sample.
Workers ready Geoprobe to take samples from the bay. The Geoprobe is a very tall, two pronged drilling device that can reach deep into the bottom of Sandusky Bay for sediment, shale and bedrock samples. It has been mounted onto the pontoon boat for the sampling work.
A worker from Haag Environmental, in boots and a White helmet stands next to a canoe in Putnam Marsh. To his right, sunk into the water, is a steel pole known as a Vibracore, used for drilling and taking samples at the bottom of the marsh and other locations. The logo on the canoe is of Erie MetroParks, which owns the marsh and canoe.
Two Haag Enviro workers in white helmets and green vests are shown in the reeds of the Plum Brook Stream Mouth, moving the Vibracore (the steel pole at the right of the photo, to take a sample.

Best viewed with Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher with 1024 X 768 display setting
Responsible NASA Official:  Keith Peecook {keith.m.peecook@nasa.gov}
Web Administrator: Sandra Jacobson, SAIC {sandra.jacobson@grc.nasa.gov}
NASA Glenn Research Center External Website | Accessibility | Privacy Policy and Important Notices
Last update: March 2008