Tank Waste Treated for Hanford Site TBI Demonstration

To support the current 2,000-gallon TBI activity, the Washington State Department of Ecology conducted a public comment period earlier this year, including a public information session, before issuing a research, development and demonstration permit for the 2,000-gallon TBI in July.

"The TBI demonstration project does not impact operations to immobilize tank waste in glass under the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program and supports the Department's goal to consider additional options for safely and efficiently treating low-activity waste at Hanford," said Katie Wong, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Tank Farms Programs Division.

Samples of the treated waste will now be sent for laboratory testing. This testing, combined with robust packaging, will ensure that the treated low-activity waste is well below the limits for safe transportation and commercial disposal in Texas and Utah. In the extremely unlikely case of a severe accident, the highest potential radiation exposure for an individual would be less than that from a single abdominal x-ray.

The TBI demonstration and shipment will provide valuable information supporting the Department's commitment to safely and efficiently progressing Hanford cleanup.