UCOR has installed new structural screens at the White Oak Embayment Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), a significant effort to provide a long-term solution following repairs made over last Thanksgiving and early January timeframes. The SRS was built in the early 1990s as a CERCLA Time Critical Action along the White Oak Creek near the mouth…
UCOR’s ORNL D&D crews filled 120 feet of legacy ductwork connecting Buildings 3001 and 3002 with a flowable cement substance called controlled low-strength material (CLSM). This work significantly reduces risk by protecting workers, a historic landmark, and equipment from exposure during demolition of one of the last remaining structures tied to the Oak Ridge Graphite…
The ORNL D&D team continues remote hot cell work as another team begins removal of highly contaminated material. Crews have initiated the removal of legacy material from Building 3029’s hot cells using manipulator arms and long handled tools. Characterization efforts identified high radiation levels on cell equipment and other items that require remote handling to…
Today, crews at ORNL Isotope Row used a 110-ton crane to remove pipe bridges and radiological filter houses from the roofs of Buildings 3030, 3031, and 3032. The team will continue to work deactivation and demolition preparation activities for demo to start this summer.
Workers at ORNL’s Isotope Row have successfully removed the Process Off Gas and Central Ventilation System lines. These old piping systems contained high levels of transuranic isotopes, requiring specific removal to ensure all contaminants were contained. To remove the systems, crews applied an expandable foam to the interior of the lines and used glove bags…
UCOR characterization teams are performing critical work at the Y-12 National Security Complex, meticulously assessing Exposure Units (EUs) 1, 2, and 3. These efforts are foundational for the development of the Agile Radiation Case Capability (ARCC) campus, a significant initiative by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) located in the East End of Y-12. To…
Late last week, Oak Ridge Reservation Landfill (ORRL) “water warriors” responded to an urgent leachate disposal and pump replacement operation during water management activities at UCOR’s onsite landfills. Personnel quickly identified that the Landfill IV lift station sump — containing leachate from Landfill IV — was full following one inch of rainfall. Crews quickly pumped…
The comprehensive characterization of the 2.5-acre Alpha-2 complex allowed for its successful deactivation and demolition (D&D), providing important information for demolition and disposition decisions. With demolition complete, characterization crews will use a Geoprobe, which is a specialized direct-push drilling rig capable of collecting soil and groundwater samples with minimal disturbance to the footprint, to characterize…
In preparation for an upcoming readiness assessment (RE), the ORNL Nuclear Operations Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) Continuous Purge System (CPS) team recently constructed a mockup to provide training for maintenance and craft personnel. The group dressed out for the demonstration to practice performing the connection between the existing tanks and the new CPS. The…
We round out our celebration of National Engineers Week today by hearing from the managers of the remaining two of the five engineering groups. John Huber tells us about his Engineering Programs team and Lucas Tipton wraps it up for us with information about the Engineering Core Services team. We obviously have an excellent engineering…
