Fluor Idaho, the new cleanup contractor at EM’s Idaho Site, is using a Colorado technology research and development facility to help resolve complex challenges related to the initiation of liquid waste treatment operations at the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU).
The independent research facility will soon use its fluidized bed technology to demonstrate new control strategies and refine operating conditions to correct problems experienced at IWTU — instabilities and unexpected temperature gradients of the fluidized bed along with the formation of scale deposits on the internal surfaces of the treatment vessel.
The IWTU is intended to treat 900,000 gallons of radioactive liquid waste at the Idaho Site using a steam reforming process. As the liquid dries, the residue solidifies onto the surfaces of tiny beads, similar to the creation of a pearl. The dried product is then transferred to stainless steel canisters and placed within concrete vaults for on-site storage until a national geologic repository is available to accept the waste.
Fluor is working with national laboratories, industry experts and Hazen Research to assess and demonstrate new control strategies and refine operating conditions for the plant.
