Tank Waste News

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Hanford, College Students Collaborate on Tank Waste Measuring Device
A partnership between a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor and Washington State University (WSU) is supporting the growth of future professionals while advancing cleanup priorities at the Hanford Site.
April 23, 2024
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New High-Tech Construction Equipment Enhances Worker Safety at Idaho Site
A recent addition of high-tech concrete equipment and enhanced processes at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site is producing more durable and level flooring during construction, enhancing safety for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) construction crews.
April 23, 2024
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A Seat at the Table: Team Refines Focus on Representation, Inclusion at SRS
A new working group is promoting a sharpened focus on representation and inclusion within the liquid waste cleanup team for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) program at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
April 23, 2024
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Savannah River Site Checks Off EM Priority With Disposal Unit Construction
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) has authorized the newest mega-size disposal unit to begin operating at the Savannah River Site (SRS), completing a 2024 priority for the cleanup program.
April 16, 2024
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Savannah River Site Marks Waste Canister Double-Stack Milestone
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) and its liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) have completed canister storage modifications in one of two glass waste storage buildings (GWSB), effectively doubling that facility’s waste storage capacity and avoiding construction of a third storage building.
April 16, 2024
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Hanford Plant Brings Second Melter Online
Crews at the Hanford Site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) recently brought the second of two 300-ton melters up to the operating temperature of 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit as part of EM’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program.
April 9, 2024
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Savannah River Site Team’s Creative Solution Furthers Tank Waste Retrieval
Innovation fueled the creation of a new tool at EM's Savannah River Site (SRS) that helps ensure equipment being lowered into an underground liquid waste tank does not encounter any interferences.
April 2, 2024
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Hanford Lab Prepares for More Hot Work and Tank-Waste Treatment
Upgrades are under way to prepare the 222-S Laboratory for the next evolution in the Hanford Site cleanup mission, treating tank waste under the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program.
March 26, 2024
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Shipping Savannah River Site Waste to Offsite Facility Improves Overall Safety
EM has shipped legacy cleanup equipment to an offsite disposal facility after storing some of it at the Savannah River Site (SRS) since 2006.
March 26, 2024
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DOE Awards $24.7 Million Financial Assistance Grants to Seven Minority Serving Institutions Across the Country
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded seven competitive financial assistance grant awards to Minority Serving Institutions totaling $24,761,831.
March 25, 2024
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The Office of Environmental Management (EM) tank waste program consists of safely storing of 90 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste at the Hanford Site in Washington, the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho and the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina.

EM operates major nuclear facilities to process and dispose of the waste as well as emptying, cleaning and closing the waste tanks. The SRS and ORP waste streams treatment involves separating the highly radioactive fractions and low activity factions. The high activity portion undergoes vitrification while the low activity portion is then either vitrified or grouted. 

As liquid waste is processed, the tanks are operationally closed through a process that involves: bulk waste removal, heel removal, cooling coil flushing/annulus cleaning, isolation and residual sampling and grouting.

The EM tank waste program’s goal is to continue cleanup progress in a cost-effective manner that is risk informed, engages stakeholders, applies innovative solutions and provides value to the American taxpayer.

Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant
Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant

Visit Hanford website information about its liquid waste management program.

Grey building with smaller white building in front
Defense Waste Processing Facility

Visit the Savannah River Site website for information on its liquid waste management program.

Integrated Waste Treatment Unit
Integrated Waste Treatment Unit

Visit the Idaho Cleanup Project website for information about its liquid waste management program.