Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com.
As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill.
Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code.
Promotional Rates were found for your code.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.
Cloudy. High 82F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..
Mostly cloudy...isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Workers completed the deactivation of the Product Purification Cell-South and have applied fixative for contamination control as part of the deactivation process. The cell had previously contained high levels of contamination from former fuel reprocessing operations.
Workers completed the deactivation of the Product Purification Cell-South and have applied fixative for contamination control as part of the deactivation process. The cell had previously contained high levels of contamination from former fuel reprocessing operations.
WEST VALLEY — The Department of Energy and West Valley Demonstration Project recently completed the deactivation of the Product Purification Cell-South (PPC-S), which contained high levels of contamination from former nuclear fuel reprocessing operations.
This effort has contributed to an overall reduction in radiological hazards that will support the demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, a DOE priority for 2022.
The PPC-S measures 5-by-16-by-57 feet and during nuclear fuel reprocessing was used to house the vessels associated with plutonium separation, concentration, material controls and batching for shipping.
Due to its configuration, this cell was a potentially oxygen-deficient confined workspace that required additional planning and work controls, including a trained and ready confined space rescue team.
“Safety is our priority throughout any and all work activities at the site,” said Stephen Bousquet, federal project director for the Main Plant Process Building demolition. “This led to an impressive decontamination effort that involved a confined workspace, requiring layers of protective clothing and numerous industrial and radiological hazard controls.”
After decades of deactivation work in the main plant, the PPC-S remained the largest source of radioactive material. Due to the source material and the configuration of the cell, the PPC-S provided unique challenges.
After reviewing several different methods for deactivation and working with Radiological Engineering, a decision was made to utilize liquid nitrogen at -320° at pressures up to 60,000 psi to provide an aggressive, yet safe, cleaning application.
Decontamination was accomplished by removing at least ⅛ inch of the surface and safely collecting the material in a vacuum system for disposal. One of the unique benefits of the technology was that it did not create a secondary waste stream.
A team visited the technology owners’ shop to evaluate the operation of the liquid nitrogen technology prior to its implementation. A base model was leased, which included an operation skid, shroud, and decontamination wand.
The site workers designed several mockups which were used to train employees on the system. This extensive use of mock-ups led to several improvements in safety, work controls and equipment. This included a secondary shroud which was built in-house to provide additional worker protection and control.
An in-cell mast climber was used to allow employees to safely access all areas of the 57-foot-tall cell, which resembled an elevator shaft. In addition to the primary and secondary shrouds of the liquid nitrogen decontamination system, portable ventilation units were used to provide appropriate air exchanges to ensure a safe work environment.
Even with all of these controls, operators were still required to perform work in air-supplied bubble suits with air-supplied respirators.
Work plans were developed using previous site experience and corporate experience, industry best practices and lessons learned from similar deactivation projects to anticipate and mitigate potential adverse events. This also included work controls to reduce radiation exposure to workers during deactivation and waste packaging.
“This accomplishment demonstrates the importance that planning, work control, and worker feedback have when it comes to high-hazard work activities,” said Tom Dogal, facility disposition manager. “Working closely with employees, management, and DOE, feedback was used to further improve processes and safety controls during the deactivation. It was this employee engagement that led to a safe, compliant and successful outcome.”
Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Would you like to receive our breaking news? Sign Up Today!
Want to receive notice about our circulation promotions and contests? Sign Up Today!
Get the latest local and national updates.
Would you like to receive our weekly headlines? Sign Up Today!
Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather.
Would you like to receive our latest obituaries? Sign Up Today!
Would you like to receive our sports news? Sign Up Today!