RICHLAND, Wash. — The Analytical Laboratory team at the Hanford Site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) recently began radiological testing to calibrate laboratory instruments and confirm procedures, a significant step toward future waste-treatment operations.
“The testing will validate the lab’s chemical and radiological safety measures,” said Mat Irwin, acting assistant manager for the WTP project. “The team will demonstrate that instruments are qualified to perform analyses of radioactive waste samples during future waste-treatment operations.”
WTP staff completed a comprehensive review of lab systems, teams and processes to ensure readiness for the radiological testing prior to opening the first ever vial of radioactive solution in the lab.
“Our team confirmed all radiological control instruments were fully operational and demonstrated our chemists’ proficiency in radiological and chemical safety practices,” said Rick Holmes, general manager for Bechtel National Inc. subcontractor Waste Treatment Completion Company.
During future plant operations, workers will immobilize in glass millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large underground tanks at Hanford. Analytical Laboratory staff will analyze samples of the waste as it is transferred to WTP. 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 plant’s two 300-ton glass melters for vitrification.
Hanford contractor Bechtel National, Inc. is responsible for designing, constructing, and commissioning the Vit Plant. Once completed, the plant will process and stabilize millions of gallons of legacy tank waste using the vitrification process. Information on the commissioning process is available on the Journey to Melter Heatup website. The plant facilities can be viewed using the self-guided Hanford Virtual Tour.
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.