AIKEN, S.C. - EM and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the Savannah River Site (SRS) management and operations contractor, are upgrading a key operations center for the H Canyon and HB Line with wireless technology, new software and other improvements.
The H Area Operations Station is responsible for controlling process cooling water and steam for H Canyon, a chemical separations facility, and HB Line, a chemical processing facility.
The station had been housed in an out-of-service steam plant constructed more than 60 years ago. That plant has had frequent issues with failed wiring, batteries and annunciators, and other problems due to degraded conditions.
As a result, SRNS moved the station to a structure relocated from K Area with the operational capabilities needed for the station.
There, workers installed new wireless technology for process monitoring, eliminating the need for replacement wiring. They added new compressors, dryers and a new structure for a direct current power supply.
“We put a real focus on continuous improvement and this is a great example of our personnel finding new ways to be more efficient, save money and improve the working environment for our operators," SRNS President Stuart MacVean said.
Faced with the growing challenge of addressing legacy infrastructure issues and process equipment deterioration, SRNS employees worked together to find the solution of relocating the station to the former K Area structure. The move was part of the SRS continuous improvement program.
“This innovative solution to the H Area Operations Station increased system and equipment reliability, operator response time, and helped make the H Area Operations Station facility a better place to work," SRNS Site Services Director Geoff Reynolds said.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
