Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy – originally published on energy.gov
Mirion is honored to play a role in enabling the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct more efficient waste certification operations at its Handford Field Office.
Over the last year, Mirion worked to upgrade two key pieces of equipment for the DOE as they prepare to begin the transuranic waste certification process for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico. The refurbishment work not only allows for a more efficient certification process, but it also resulted in time and cost savings for the DOE.
The Hanford Field Office is located on a 580-square-mile section of desert in Richland, Washington. Originally established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, the site produced nearly two-thirds of the plutonium used in the US nuclear weapon stockpile. Now, the site is focused on waste management and environmental cleanup.
Next year, the team at the Hanford Field Office will begin to certify the thousands of containers of transuranic waste currently in storage at the site. Then, the containers will be shipped to WIPP for final disposal. All shipped material must comply with WIPP’s disposal, packaging and transportation requirements. To complete this work, the DOE will utilize specialized equipment, including a Super-High-Efficiency Neutron Counter — also known as Super HENC — as well as a Large Box Counter.
Mirion’s Measurement Services and Systems team worked with the DOE to upgrade both the Super HENC and the Large Box Counter. These upgrades included modernized Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) software and electronics, which enabled the equipment to meet the stringent requirements for removing transuranic and low-level waste from the site.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy – originally published on energy.gov
The Super HENC – one of only three of its kind in the U.S. – is a self-contained, mobile unit designed to accurately scan and measure the amount and type of radioactive waste in containers. This capability is crucial, as it ensures that transuranic waste — comprising tools, rags, protective clothing, sludges, soil and other materials contaminated with radioactive elements like plutonium — can be safely and efficiently certified for disposal.
According to an article published on the DOE’s website regarding the Super HENC upgrade project:
“Getting the Super HENC prepared for waste certification operations was a true team effort,” said Tim Southworth, Transuranic Waste Program manager for Hanford contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company. “So many different groups contributed to the success of this important project.”
Read the full article here.
In addition to the Super HENC, the site also received a refurbished large-box counter. This equipment will double the site’s capability to certify containers of transuranic waste, further enhancing the speed and efficiency of the certification process.
Read the full article on the large-box counter here.
According to the DOE, refurbishing this equipment resulted in significant time and cost savings, compared to purchasing new equipment. The upgrades resulted in a total cost savings of $30 million, a significant achievement that underscores the value of leveraging existing resources and expertise.
Certification activities will start in 2026, and shipments to WIPP will start in 2028.
Completion of equipment upgrades marks a big step forward in Hanford’s ongoing efforts to manage and reduce environmental risks associated with their mission. Mirion was proud to partner with the DOE and other contributors to aid in this important waste management project to ensure safe and proper site cleanup.
Learn more about Mirion’s capabilities for Waste Management.
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