Day 2: The road through Idaho

The first 125-ton melter assembly continued its journey from Ogden, Utah, to the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant construction site today. Traveling on a 190-foot specially configured heavy-haul transporter, the melter caravan traveled 300 miles through the state of Idaho! Keep checking back for more updates.

Starting point: Moreland, Idaho
Ending point: Marsing, Idaho
Miles traveled: 300
Hours traveled: 9.5
Average speed: 31.4 miles per hour
Maximum speed: 43 miles per hour

Cities/towns traveled through:

• Arco (population: ~1,000)
• Shoshone (population: ~13,000)
• Bliss (population: ~300)
• Hammett (population: ~400)
• Grand View (population: ~500)

Landmark passed: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The melter caravan, which includes at least two lead cars, one or two follow cars and an additional transporter carrying a forklift and dunnage, travels across a bridge in Idaho. (View larger image.)

View Larger Map

Interesting facts:

• A single melter is composed of a melter assembly (melter base and walls); a gas barrier lid; an external shield lid; a refractory brick interior; and other components that will feed, stir, and monitor the glass mixture.
• The 120-ton refractory interior will be constructed after the melters are delivered to the construction site.
• Each melter will weigh 300 tons when it is complete.
• When complete, the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant will use four melters in total: two melters in the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Vitrification Facility and two melters in the High-Level Waste Vitrification Facility.
• The two external shield lids were delivered last week (see Media Release). Each lid weighs approximately 30 tons and measures 26 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 3 feet tall.
• When operational, the LAW melters will produce 30 tons of glass per day.

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Media coverage: The melter deliveries were featured on local and regional television and radio newscasts, as well as in newspapers.

For media inquiries:

Suzanne Heaston, Bechtel National, Inc., Waste Treatment Plant Communications
(509) 371-2329, smheasto@bechtel.com

Carrie Meyer, Department of Energy
(509) 372-0810, Carrie_C_Meyer@rl.gov

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