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…
We continue our celebration of National Engineers Week and the ~100 engineers serving the cleanup mission here at UCOR. Today, we are going to hear about the engineering team for the Transuranic Waste Processing Center (TWPC). Kyle Peterson, TWPC Engineering Manager, talks about what they do and who they are in this video.
UCOR is in full gear as it performs environmental cleanup at the White Wing Scrap Yard, supporting federal land reuse opportunities. Watch the video to find out more about this unique cleanup effort.
Recently, a contaminated waste container at ORNL TRU Waste showed signs of degradation and several UCOR teams came together to resolve the issue. ORNL Nuclear Operations provided resources for operational task supervision, planning, radiological protection, and chemical operator support to aid the ORNL TRU Waste organization in responding promptly. Radiological protection and industrial hygiene programs…
UCOR’s deactivation and demolition (D&D) teams are making substantial progress at the former 210,000-square-foot Beta-1 uranium enrichment facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Following deactivation, the current focus is to fill the basement with controlled low-strength material (CLSM)—a concrete mixture— to stabilize the foundation for demolition equipment, with completion anticipated in May. A significant…
Inside ORNL’s former Radioisotope Development Laboratory (Building 3026), UCOR is using the Brokk remotely operated excavator to deactivate the remaining portion of the final hot cell inside. They have now successfully filled and removed the first drum of waste from the hot cell. Watch the video here.
