Hanford Test on Low Level Waste Could Save Billions

In 2024, the Hanford area launched a test of a 'new' procedure of separating lower-level waste from higher level, then grouting it. It worked.

The Test Bed Initiative worked

According to the Department of Energy, the Test Bed Initiative Phase II involved the treating of 2,000 gallons of tank waste. It was 'filtered,' removing larger pieces of undissolved higher-radiation-level waste, then the liquid was grouted, or encased with a concrete-like substance. The waste was then shipped off to a storage site.

The plan worked, and now Hanford and DOE Officials say the test began with a three-gallon experiment, then Phase II utilized 2,000 gallons.

This successful test shows larger amounts of lower-level liquid can be separated and treated, rather than the more expensive method of vitrification or glassifying the waste in the VIT Plant.

The glassification would still be needed for the higher-level and solid waste, but it's believed hundreds of thousands of gallons of lower level contaminants can be grouted which would save potentially billions of dollars.

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It would also speed up the process, and help empty out the 167 waste storage tanks at Hanford. Treating the liquid waste would make things go noticeably faster.

The grouted waste is then shipped off to storage facilities in Utah and Texas.