2007 Accomplishments
Many accomplishments in 2007 encompassed tank waste retrieval and reduction, technical innovations, vadose zone/groundwater characterization, regulatory compliance, outstanding safety performance, and cost and schedule savings. Here are just a few highlights of those accomplishments.
Waste Retrieval
Tank Farm Operations transferred 294,000 gallons of radioactive and hazardous waste from single-shell tanks to safer double-shell tanks. The waste material contained over 1.14 million curies of radioactivity. We conducted field work or preparation for seven tank retrieval projects. A total of seven tanks have been emptied to-date, including all C-200 series tanks.
Waste Transfers
Field crews moved 6.3 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste between tanks and through miles of pipe via the Cross-Site Transfer System. The transfers make tank space available for retrieval projects and will support waste feed to the Waste Treatment Plant.
Optimized Tank Space
In two evaporator campaigns, we processed more than 2 million gallons of waste, reducing the waste volume in the double-shell tanks by more than 1.2 million gallons.
Milestones for TPA Compliance
We completed eight regulatory milestones, including: ultrasonic testing of the double-shell tanks (M-48-15), a comprehensive integrity assessment of the doubleshell tanks (M-48-00), an assessment of the catch tank liquid level (M-23-26), interim measures to control contaminant sources in the vadose zone (M-45-56), four interim stabilization reports (D-001-00-R)
Health and Safety
Our strong safety performance was evident in declining rates of injuries and illness. Our Total Recordable Case rate dropped to 0.87, well below the national average of 7.1. Our lost work day rate was 0.52 cases per 200,000 hours worked, compared to the industry average of 2.9 cases. Our people achieved three Million-Hour Milestones, working without an injury or accident.
Groundwater Protection
Through the Vadose Zone Program we completed 35 direct push investigations, drove 7,000 feet of pipe and 139 probe holes, collected 54 soil samples, 4,850 feet of gross gamma logging data, and 1,309 feet of moisture logging data.
DOE “Best-in-Class”
DOE recognized two of our projects as “Best-in-Class” for pollution prevention. DOE honored work conducted in our Vadose Zone Program and at our 222-S Laboratory.
| News Release (PDF) | | |
