Refurbished Waste Certification Equipment Returns to Hanford Site

RICHLAND, Wash. - Crews at the Hanford Site recently welcomed the return of specialized equipment sent offsite for refurbishment nearly a year ago.

The super high efficiency neutron counter, also known as the Super HENC, is just one of three of its kind in the country. The "super" power of this self-contained, mobile unit comes from its ability to accurately scan and measure the amount and type of radioactive waste in containers.

This equipment will play a key role in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management transuranic waste certification process. Transuranic waste consists of tools, rags, protective clothing, sludges, soil and other materials contaminated with radioactive elements, including plutonium.

It was upgraded to support Hanford's capability to certify containers of waste for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.

"The equipment contributes to Hanford's mission of risk reduction by enabling the efficient certification of transuranic waste as we prepare to resume shipments to WIPP," said Kelly Ebert, Hanford's director for projects and facilities. "Refurbishing the equipment not only supports this mission but also resulted in significant time and cost savings compared to purchasing new."

All transuranic waste shipped to WIPP must be approved by a WIPP-certified program and comply with WIPP's disposal, packaging and transportation requirements.

"Getting the Super HENC prepared for waste certification operations was a true team effort," said Tim Southworth, Transuranic Waste Program manager for Hanford contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company. "So many different groups contributed to the success of this important project."

Crews will begin certifying transuranic waste at Hanford in 2026, with shipments to WIPP set to resume in 2028.