This relatively short video highlights the removal of radioactive sludge from the Hanford Site K-West Basin, which was completed in September 2019. The sludge formed as a result of corrosion of...
This relatively short video highlights the removal of radioactive sludge from the Hanford Site K-West Basin, which was completed in September 2019. The sludge formed as a result of corrosion of spent nuclear fuel in long-term wet storage (with poor basin chemistry). After being transferred into transportation containers, it was moved to T Plant (one of the world’s oldest operating nuclear facilities, it dates back to the Manhattan Project, when it was used to separate plutonium from irradiated fuel rods using the bismuth phosphate process) for interim storage until a treatment path is decided.
As nuclear-sector engineer (didn’t work on this, but happy to answer questions related to radwaste), I thought this was an interesting watch, not only in the removal itself, but in the mock-ups, equipment design, and planning. I’ve included some links for those who want to learn more:
This relatively short video highlights the removal of radioactive sludge from the Hanford Site K-West Basin, which was completed in September 2019. The sludge formed as a result of corrosion of spent nuclear fuel in long-term wet storage (with poor basin chemistry). After being transferred into transportation containers, it was moved to T Plant (one of the world’s oldest operating nuclear facilities, it dates back to the Manhattan Project, when it was used to separate plutonium from irradiated fuel rods using the bismuth phosphate process) for interim storage until a treatment path is decided.
As nuclear-sector engineer (didn’t work on this, but happy to answer questions related to radwaste), I thought this was an interesting watch, not only in the removal itself, but in the mock-ups, equipment design, and planning. I’ve included some links for those who want to learn more:
-Sludge Removal Project - an overview
-Sludge Treatment Project Engineered Container Retrieval and Transfer System Preliminary Design Hazard and Operability Study
As an aside, OSTI is a great resource for learning. I can get lost in reading reports and white papers.