HANDSS-55: A TRU Waste Repackaging System for the Savannah River Site

摘要

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) funds technology development to meet its cleanrnup objectives through the Office of Science and Technology (OST). OST has set up focus areasrnand cross cuts reflecting the major problem and technology development areas within the DOErncomplex. The Transuranic and Mixed Waste Focus Area (TMFA) works to deliver engineeringrnand technological solutions to DOE sites related to the characterization, treatment and disposal ofrnboth transuranic and mixed waste. The focus areas utilize the cross cutting programs for technicalrnexpertise to identify and forecast technology development. The TMFA works with the RoboticsrnCross Cutting Program (RBX) to solve the handling issues related to preparing mixed waste forrntreatment and disposal.rnThe TMFA works with the individual DOE sites to identify their technology needs.rnMany DOE sites have similar problem areas, and the TMFA works to efficiently use the DOE’srnfunds for technology development to have the greatest complex wide impact. The TMFA focusesrnit’s development efforts in the areas of thermal and non-thermal treatment and the handling andrncharacterization of mixed waste for disposal.rnThe TMFA, working with the RBX is developing a waste sorting and repackaging systemrnto prepare transuranic mixed waste for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). ThernHandling and Segregating System for 55-Gallon drums of Mixed Waste (HANDSS-55) is arnremotely operated system that opens 55-gallon drums of mixed waste, transfers the contents to arnsorting table, removes the non-compliant items, volume reduces the excess containers, andrnrepackages the waste into polyethylene canisters. HANDSS-55 has been designed in a modularrnconcept to allow individual parts to be utilized separately at other sites. The system is dividedrninto four modules: 1) the Waste Sorting Module, 2) the TRU Waste Repackaging Module 3) thernProcess Waste Reduction Module and 4) the System Integration and Control Module. HANDSS-rn55 is being developed by three teams: 1) the Idaho National Engineering and EnvironmentalrnLaboratory, 2) the Savannah River Technology Center, and 3) the Pacific Northwest NationalrnLaboratory. The four modules will be integrated and demonstrated at the Western EnvironmentalrnTechnology Office of DOE at Butte, Montana. After demonstration HANDSS-55 will berndeployed at the Savannah River Site.rnThe Savannah River Site (SRS) is a dedicated end user and an active participant in thernHANDSS-55 development effort. SRS has not only participated in the development but is alsornproviding in-kind funding for support and containment structures and equipment. ThernHANDSS-55 development effort is a successful pilot for joint cooperation between focus areasrnand crosscuts, multi-site development teams and strong end user involvement from the project’srnconception.