Structural Design of the Defense Waste Processing Facility

by Frank J. Hsiu, Bechtel Natl Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA,
Charles K. Ng, Bechtel Natl Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA,
Amin M. Almuti, Bechtel Natl Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Nuclear Waste Handling and Storage

Abstract:

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) is designed to process radioactive defense waste sludge and the radioactive nuclides, cesium and stronium, from the salt solution. These radioactive materials, after being converted from a molten liquid sludge into a glass-crystalline matrix, are remotely cast into stainless steel canisters, sealed, inspected, decontaminated, and then temporarily stored in a glass waste storage building for future disposal in a deep geological repository. The special challenge for structural engineers in the design of confinement structure, as well as piping, equipment and nozzle supports. Specifically, the functional requirements demanded the structural designer to consider the following: structural strength and stability; radiation and shielding requirements; remotability and high tolerance control; constructability; and decontamination. Criteria and detailed design to achieve these requirements on the DWPF facility, have been a joint effort of Du Pont and Bechtel engineers.

Subject Headings: Radioactive wastes | Waste treatment plants | Structural design | Building design | Waste disposal | Waste storage | Industrial wastes

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search