Digital Transformation Helps Hanford Prepare for Tank Waste Treatment

RICHLAND, Wash. – EM’s Hanford Office of River Protection (ORP) recently completed several upgrades years in the making to support the underground waste tanks’ transformation to new digital automation systems.

These systems focus on worker safety, efficiency, reliability, flexibility, mobility, and cost effectiveness as Hanford prepares to begin treating tank waste by the end of 2023.

“We’re making a better future happen now,” said Mirwaise Aurah, process and control system engineering manager with ORP tank farms contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). “Making tank farm information available remotely increases worker safety.”

Workers can view radiological conditions and industrial hygiene information on large displays at tank farm access points and on Hanford computers.

A new central control room has been established with new capabilities, including remote monitoring of ventilation flow and systems to detect and monitor chemical vapors, protecting workers from potential exposure.

A new suite of more than 60 software products has also been deployed to improve the pace and efficiency of operations.

“Development of new and innovative automated solutions has led to improved safety and efficiency,” said Dimple Patel, ORP tank farms instrumentation and control safety system oversight engineer. “As the suite of digital tools grows and improves, it prepares us for a much higher pace of operations to support round-the-clock treatment of tank waste.”

This technology initiative provides two new training simulators that create realistic scenarios, so operators can respond effectively in the field.

“Our goal is to have our operators trained so well that the correct response to an abnormal process condition becomes muscle memory,” said Karthik Subramanian, WRPS chief engineer.

“These full-scope operator training simulators provide a key element to meeting that goal.”
Patel added, “With technological capabilities in place to improve worker safety, simplify operations, and provide timely and accurate information at the touch of a button, Hanford tanks technology is upgraded for the next phase of cleanup.”