Collaboration Key to High-Level Waste Facility's Future
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s (EM) Office of River Protection and Bechtel National Inc. recently created a plan for completing the High-Level Waste (HLW) Facility at the Vit Plant.
Together they laid out the strategy for completing the design and construction of the partially built facility that will immobilize in glass millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at Hanford.
“We have a strong plan on what technical and programmatic requirements will drive the path to completing Hanford’s high-level waste treatment mission,” said Tom Teynor, Hanford HLW Facility project manager. “The collaboration is an example of how EM and its contractors can partner to produce positive outcomes.”
Felice Presti, Bechtel principal vice president and project manager for HLW, said, “Achieving alignment early reduces uncertainties, supports cost and schedule estimating and planning for future work, and it serves as a foundation for success going forward.”
The team incorporated lessons learned from the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the plant’s Low-Activity Waste Facility and other facilities in EM’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program.
A key aspect of the way ahead is completing design work before doing major construction work. The team also focused on determining criteria for accepting waste from Hanford's Tank Farms; using additional mock-ups, or simulated work environments with no radiological or chemical hazards; and involving experienced operators early in planning.
“These actions establish a strong foundation for making the High-Level Waste Facility Project a model for future projects,” said Teynor.
Like the Low-Activity Waste Facility, the HLW Facility will mix tank waste with glass-forming materials in two large melters operating at 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The mixture will be poured into stainless steel containers for interim safe storage prior to disposal.
About the Vit Plant
In southeastern Washington state, Bechtel National, Inc. is designing, constructing, and commissioning the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment plant for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). When complete, the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, also known as the Vit Plant, will process and stabilize millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste currently stored at the Hanford Site.
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