Analytical Laboratory

The Analytical Laboratory, also known as the Lab, will process samples of batches of radioactive waste to confirm the vitrification facilities are producing glass that meets all regulatory requirements and standards. The Lab is 320 feet long and 180 feet wide, approximately the size of a football field, and 45 feet, or four stories, high.

During Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste operations, the Lab technicians will analyze approximately 3,000 waste samples each year.

These analyses will be used to determine the correct “recipe” of glass-forming materials to mix with the waste before it is transferred into one of the Vit Plant’s two low-activity waste 300-ton melters for vitrification. Samples will also be taken throughout the vitrification process to confirm a high-quality glass product and good process controls to ensure the final vitrified product is stable and not a threat to the environment or people.

A Closer Look: The Environmental Emissions Stack Assembly

The 68-foot stack assembly will release emissions from the Analytical Lab’s ventilation systems, filtering out radioactive and chemical contaminants from the air to ensure it meets strict regulations. Made of structural steel, the assembly contains three emission stacks and weighs approximately 140,000 pounds. The assembly sits atop the Lab, making it more than 119 feet tall.