Optimization Efforts at DWPF to Ensure Waste Tank Closure by 2037 – 24404

Conference · Tue Nov 07 04:00:00 EST 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2323549· OSTI ID:2323549

Armstead, III, Frank L. ^[1]

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1. Savannah River Mission Completion; Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)

At the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina, the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) produces a glass-form product by processing high-level liquid waste (HLW) with borosilicate glass in a high-heated Melter, then putting the vitrified waste into stainless-steel canisters. Since 1996, DWPF has performed this vitrification process for the liquid waste mission at the SRS; the overall objective for this mission is to reduce the volume in the upstream waste tanks, so those tanks can be emptied and operationally closed. This mission seeks to eliminate the single biggest environmental risk in the state of South Carolina, which requires a robust processing strategy within the DWPF, along with optimal interface between the other facilities in the liquid waste organization (LWO). As of the end of July 2023, DWPF has safely remediated 63.7 MCi of HLW, and filled 4,319 canisters (We project that about 4,000 more canisters are needed to be filled to reach the closure goal.)

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)
• DOE Contract Number: 89303322DEM000068
• OSTI ID: 2323549
• Report Number(s): SRMC-STI-2023-00586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English