RICHLAND, Wash. - Representatives from five national laboratories and three universities met in late May to discuss how they could assist with tank waste cleanup at the Hanford Site.
The group explored how laboratory and university capabilities could address technology needs in several areas, including tank and transfer line integrity, chemical vapors, waste retrieval, direct feed of low-activity waste to the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, and secondary liquid waste treatment and disposal.
“The meeting focused on identifying gaps for ongoing work and outlining what should be performed on new projects - then matching core competencies to those needs," said Steve Kelly, a technology manager with Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), the site’s tank operations contractor.
Approximately 60 experts participated in what has become an annual meeting, organized by WRPS and EM’s Office of River Protection (ORP). In breakout sessions, tank farm subject-matter experts identified technology needs and facilitated discussions. The results will be used in planning fiscal 2018 work.
Several of the organizations already support technology development through contracts with ORP. The national laboratory and university work scope varies from managing information database platforms and providing expert support to technical issues to technology maturation and strategic mission improvement. WRPS coordinates all laboratory work scope associated with the tank farms mission.
Kelly led meeting planning, working with ORP Chief Technology Officer Naomi Jaschke Chief Engineer Elaine Diaz.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
