DOE: Heavy Lifts Move Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Construction Forward

Using a heavy-lift crane, workers install a 40-ton evaporator unit inside the effluent management facility under construction at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The module was constructed at ground level as a unit and then lifted into place. Courtesy photo
 
A 40-ton structural steel roof module is lifted into place atop the effluent management facility under construction at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The module was assembled at ground level and then lifted into place to increase worker safety and allow other concurrent construction. Courtesy photo
 
DOE News:
 
RICHLAND, Wash. Construction progressed at the EM Office of River Protection’s (ORP) Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) as crews recently lifted major components into place at the effluent management facility (EMF).
 
Workers used a heavy lift crane to safely install the evaporator unit and two structural steel roof modules — each weighing more than 40 tons.
 
The placements were key activities toward completing construction of the final Balance of Facilities (BOF) support building required to deliver EM’s direct feed low-activity waste vitrification approach.
 
During the vitrification process, secondary liquids are generated from the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility melter off-gas system. These liquids will then go to the EMF where excess water is evaporated and transferred to Hanford’s nearby Liquid Effluent Retention Facility, while the remaining concentrate is sent back into the vitrification process.
 
“The evaporator unit is the primary EMF capability and bringing the equipment into the building is a significant construction accomplishment for the team,” said Jason Young, ORP BOF federal project director.
 
The evaporator unit is a 45-ton tower that includes the evaporator vessel, associated shielding plate, and steel structural support. The assembled unit measures 45 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The evaporator is the heart of EMF and allows the plant to operate efficiently by removing excess water while sending the remaining concentrated liquid back into the vitrification process.
 
The first roof module installed weighs 45 tons, measures 67 foot by 63 foot, and includes more than 500 feet of pre-installed fire protection pipes. The second roof module is 40 tons, 61 feet by 68 feet, and includes more than 600 feet of piping.
 
Crews constructed the roof modules and pre-installed the piping at ground level, reducing the amount of work performed at heights inside the building. This strategy allowed concurrent work inside the building, made more efficient use of space, and enhanced safety.
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