[en] This report discusses the recommendation from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to Fluor Hanford regarding the treatment of the Hanford K East Basin North Loadout Pit (KE NLOP) sludge to produce contact handled transuranic waste (CH-TRU) for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The recommendation was supported in part by chemical and radiochemical characterization analyses (provided in this report) performed on a sample of KE NLOP sludge

[en] This report contains the results of a preliminary assessment conducted on bounding Hanford Site glass and grout waste forms and their ability to meet selected disposal performance objectives. The study relies solely on previously documented information and engineering judgment, and is not intended to provide definitive information for technology selection or regulatory decisions

[en] This report provides summary-level information about a group of options that have been identified for the disposition of spent-nuclear-fuel sludge in the K-Basins at the Hanford Site. These options are representative of the range of likely candidates that may be considered for disposition of the sludge. The product of each treatment option would be treated sludge that would meet waste acceptance requirements for disposal as transuranic (TRU) waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

[en] Fluor Hanford is responsible for cleanup of legacy wastes, old production facilities, and environmental contamination that remain at the Hanford site. New technologies and technical information are being introduced to improve cost efficiency and assure safety. This paper presents recent advances in four of Fluor's projects. Supporting the Plutonium Finishing Plan Closure Project, laboratory evaluations and thermal analyses were conducted to quantify the potential for self-heating reactions that can develop in materials used to remove plutonium from contaminated equipment. Four commercial products were tested, and safe limits for packaging these wastes have been developed. The Groundwater Remediation Project is testing two technologies that show promise of preventing groundwater contaminants from reaching the Columbia River by innovative in situ methods. Laboratory tests are showing that the mineral apatite can sequester Sr-90, and current work to control in situ placement of the barrier is supporting a field deployment in late FY 06. In another location, a new approach using zero valent iron is being tested to 'mend' areas breached in the in situ redox manipulation barrier, which was installed to convert soluble chromium +6 to the less mobile +3 state. The Waste Stabilization and Disposition Project has successfully operated a process to grout sludge from spent fuel storage basins which controls the dose below contact handled limits. An in-line sensor and a nomogram that correlates dose to curies provide the operators with a simple and effective method to assure all waste drums meet WIPP acceptance specifications. The K Basins Closure Project will be transferring sludge containing fuel fragments using hoses and several pump booster stations. Selection of equipment fabrication materials required testing with a simulant, which in turn required laboratory evaluations of irradiated fuel hardness so that an appropriate non-radioactive material could be selected. A tungsten alloy was selected and used for testing system components

[en] The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has entered into a contract with BNFL, Inc. (BNFL) for treatment and immobilization of the highly radioactive wastes stored in underground tasks at Hanford. This contract provides for 'privatized' treatment in the sense that such treatment will be completed under a fixed-price contract using a contractor-owned and -operated facility. BNFL has completed the first half of a 24-month design period that will end in August 2000. At that point DOE will decide whether to authorize BNFL to proceed to the construction and operations period of the contract. Several issues need to be resolved as part of the process for preparing for that decision. This paper discusses a number of these issues, including how the project will be financed, whether cost savings are likely to be realized under this contract, stakeholder support for proceeding, DoE's ability to manage this contract, and DoE's ability to obtain the required funding from Congress. Resolution of the issues identified in this paper will require DOE to achieve two goals. The first goal is to ensure that the Office of River Protection, which is responsible for this project, has the organization, staff, and management processes in place needed to successfully integrate and manage this and other elements of the River Protection Project. DOE must also be able to make a convincing case to Congress and others that this goal has been reached. The second goal that DOE must achieve is to determine whether proceeding with whatever final agreement is negotiated with BNFL is likely to be a cost-effective approach for completing the work. As is the case for the management goal, DOE must also be able to make a convincing case to Congress and others that this second goal has been achieved. Substantial progress has been made toward accomplishment of these goals, but much work remains to be completed before a determination can be made that it is appropriate to proceed to the construction and operations period of the contract