Name of the Project
Hanford tank waste treatment and immobilisation plant.
Location
Washington state, US.
Project Owner/s
US Department of Energy and Bechtel.
Project Description
The project entails the construction of the world’s biggest radioactive waste treatment plant.
The Hanford plant, also known as the Vit plant, will process and stabilise about 212-million litres of radioactive and chemical waste currently stored on site.
The waste is a by-product of national defence plutonium-production efforts during World War Two and the Cold War era, and resides in 177 ageing underground tanks.
The plant will use vitrification technology to stabilise the waste.
Vitrification involves mixing the waste with glass-forming materials and heating it to 1 150 ºC and pouring it into stainless steel canisters to cool and solidify. In this glass form, the waste is stable and safe for storage.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Not stated.
Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.
Latest Developments
None stated.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
US Department of Energy, tel +1 202 586 5000 or email the.secretary@hq.doe.gov.
Bechtel, tel +1 571 392 6300 or email webmas@bechtel.com.