Laboratory testing at the Hanford Site confirms that over 200,000 gallons of treated radioactive waste is ready to be vitrified, or immobilized in glass.
Office of Environmental Management
May 28, 2024
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Crews with Hanford Site contractor Washington River Protection Solutions prepare the Tank-Side Cesium Removal System to process a batch of tank waste.
RICHLAND, Wash. — Laboratory testing at the Hanford Site confirms that over 200,000 gallons of treated radioactive waste is ready to be vitrified, or immobilized in glass.
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) continues to process tank waste through the Tank-Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) System. TSCR is a demonstration project that removes radioactive cesium and solids from the waste.
Under Hanford’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program, the treated waste will be fed directly to the Low-Activity Waste Facility at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) beginning next year.
“The Tank-Side Cesium Removal System is accomplishing its mission as the first step in treating Hanford’s tank waste,” said Delmar Noyes, Hanford assistant manager for Tank Waste Operations. “We’re making great progress towards the start of WTP operations in 2025.”
The 222-S Laboratory, operated by Hanford Site contractor Navarro-ATL, tests liquid waste from the underground storage tank that will feed it to Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.
The 222-S Laboratory, operated by EM contractor Navarro-ATL, tests TSCR-processed waste after each batch. WRPS must provide certified data to demonstrate that the feed to the WTP is within acceptable limits for radiological and chemical makeup. The processed waste is staged in an underground storage tank until the WTP has progressed in the commissioning process and is ready for treated tank waste to be delivered for vitrification.
“The Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste Program is truly a One Hanford effort; all site contractors have a role,” said Wes Bryan, WRPS president and project manager. “We’re proud of our team and the dedicated workforce that is moving this first large-scale treatment of Hanford waste forward.”
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