Hanford Site contractors from the EM Office of River Protection and Richland Operations Office recently shared valuable experiences with one another regarding sampling emissions from site exhaust stacks.
Office of Environmental Management
March 21, 2023
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EM contractor Washington River Protection Solutions Engineer Elvie Brown examines equipment at the Plutonium Uranium Extraction Plant to learn more about the stack sampling program, as site contractors prepare for the start of tank-waste treatment under the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program.
RICHLAND, Wash. – Hanford Site contractors from the EM Office of River Protection and Richland Operations Office recently shared valuable experiences with one another regarding sampling emissions from site exhaust stacks in preparation for the startup of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) Program.
Once tank-waste treatment begins, new emissions-sampling requirements will be in place at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, currently under construction by Bechtel National Inc. When operational, crews will collect samples to ensure emissions comply with requirements that protect human health and the environment. Sampling provides evidence of successful filtration.
“This is a great example of contractors partnering at Hanford,” said Brian Harkins, EM assistant manager for Mission Support. “Contractor integration is an important part of advancing the Hanford cleanup mission.”
Tank operations contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) sought feedback on the sampling process from contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), site integrator and manager of annual reporting on Hanford Site emissions. HMIS proposed a formal sharing of ideas through a visit to the Hanford Plutonium Uranium Extraction Plant (PUREX), managed by contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company, which routinely collects samples from the plant’s ventilation system.
Tank-waste processing systems will generate similar emissions, and the demonstration at PUREX provided WRPS a clearer understanding of future requirements and processes.
HMIS provides emission reports for multiple facilities on the site to regulatory agencies, covering all contractors and demonstrating environmental compliance.
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