UF6 (depleted Uranium hexafluoride) in the inventory to a more stable chemical form. As a result, the Department intends to continue observation and maintenance of the depleted UF6 cylinders currently in storage.The routine management of the depleted UF6 cylinders includes the actions designed to cost effectively improve their storage conditions, for example:
* To have a regular inspections and general maintenance of cylinders and storage yards;
* Restacking and re-spacing the cylinders to improve drainage and to allow for more careful inspections;
* Repainting the ends of skirted cylinders and cylinder bodies to avoid the problem of corrosion;
* Constructing new concrete cylinder storage yards and reconditioning the existing yards from gravel to concrete to improve storage conditions.
If a cylinder leak occurs and the depleted UF6 is
exposed to water vapor in the air, uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) will be formed. Since the uranyl fluoride is a solid that plugs the leak, restricting the further escape of depleted UF6. Release of the hydrogen fluoride gas to the atmosphere is also reduced by the plug formation.
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