Applicability of TOWRS to support the D&D of the Plutonium Finishing Plant
Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) personnel are completing baseline strategic planning for the deactivation, decontamination, decommissioning, and dismantlement (D&D) of the 234-52 Building and associated ancillary buildings and facilities within the PFP Complex. As part of the planning phase, alternatives for the current baseline are being identified and evaluated to determine their ability to accelerate the schedule, reduce the overall project costs and/or result in improved personnel safety. There are a number of areas within the PFP complex that have the need to utilize remote capabilities and/or ''size reduce'' oversized transuranic (TRU) contaminated metal objects. Areas that may require remote/robotic capabilities include the main PFP structure (234-52), the Plutonium Reclamation Facility (PRF) Canyon, the Americium Recovery Facility (242-Z), the incinerator facility (232-Z), and the ventilation exhaust facility (291-2). Current planning would require manned entries into contamination zones in these areas with the personnel dressed in multiple layers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including plastic, supplied-air bubble suits. The TOWRS (Transportable Oversized Waste Reduction System) is being evaluated to determine whether alignment exists between the remote/robotic capabilities of this system and the needs of the PFP D&D Project. Of specific consideration are the unique D&D needs associated with the Plutonium Reclamation Facility (PRF). TOWS is a completely portable remote control robotic tool handling system that can be brought to the job site and it is ideal to meet a variety of D&D needs. The system has been assembled and integrated into a transportable semi-trailer. The system and all of its components have been successfully tested against representative performance standards and it can be readily deployed at a number of worksites. Other than equipment leasing and operations personnel, the cost for each worksite would generally be limited to the purchase of consumables and to any special tooling. All components of the system are industrial grade, commercially proven, and readily available.
- Research Organization:
- Fluor Hanford, Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-96RL13200
- OSTI ID:
- 810514
- Report Number(s):
- HNF-14700, Rev.0; HNF-EDC-03-14557; TRN: US0302982
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 5 Feb 2003
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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