Hanford Mission Takes Another Step Forward as Vit Plant Testing Advances

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management is advancing the Hanford Site tank waste mission by introducing key chemicals into the Vit Plant as part of commissioning. This represents another step toward solidifying Hanford tank waste in glass later this year.

“Our progress in cold commissioning is the result of decades of preparation, dedication and collaboration between the Department and our contractor partners and is another step toward safely addressing Hanford tank waste,” said Hanford Field Office Acting Manager Brian Harkins.

With the introduction of ammonia and nitrous oxide-producing chemicals into the WTP melters to replicate tank waste, the Hanford team is ensuring systems are fully operational. Testing the plant and its systems with chemicals in simulated tank waste over the next few months is a key step in validating that all systems and equipment run safely and appropriately before nuclear waste components are introduced later this year. This achievement builds on significant progress over the last several years in the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste program across the Hanford Site.

“Leadership from DOE and strong partnerships with the trade unions, suppliers, regulators, other Hanford contractors and local community have helped make this happen,” said Bechtel National Inc. Project Director and Senior Vice President Brian Hartman. “We’re proud to be part of a mission that’s critical to the health of our community and the environment.”

Once full-scale operations begin, the plant will process an average of 5,300 gallons of tank waste per day, mixing the treated waste with glass-forming materials, heating it to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit, and pouring it into stainless steel containers for safe, long term disposal. Approximately 3.5 containers, weighing a total of 21 metric tons, will be produced each day.

The plant facilities can be viewed using the self-guided Hanford Virtual Tour available at www.Hanford.gov. Additional information is available regarding the cold commissioning process online.

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.