Dynamic Simulation of Hanford Tank Waste Remediation System

Abstract

LEOALDIGCWMW Ttis report ww pr-redan an D o a n t of work omred red by an w n c y of the United S t a a Gowmmsnt. Nuthsr the United Statw G o w m n t nor any agency thereof, nor my of This report has been rsproduced from the best aveilable copy.Rnad in h. UhdSof *r*ra. DISCLMZ.CHP 11-91) COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR ALL OOCUMENTS COMPLETE THIS SECTION ONLY FOR A JOURNAL SU8MlSSlONA. Title of Journal Chemical engineering, government, nuclear engineering, hybrid simulation. system dynamics. COMPLETE THIS SECTION ONLY FOR A SPEECH OR PRESENTATION ABSTRACTCleaning up and disposing of approximately 50 years of nuclear waste is the main mission at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Nuclear Reservation, located in the southeastern part of the state of Washington. A major element of the total cleanup effort involves retrieving, processing, and disposing of radioactive and hazardous waste stored in 177 underground storage tanks. referred to as the Tank Waste Remediation System (WRSJ, is expected to cost billions of do//ars and take approximately 25 years to complete. Several computer simulations of this project are being created, focusing on both programmatic and detailed engineering issues. This paper describes one such simulation activity, using the ithinkml computer simulation software. This effort,The ithink" simulation includes a representation of the complete JWRS cleanup system. from retrieval of waste through intermediate processing and final vitrification of waste for disposal. addressed to date by the simulation effort include the need for new underground storage tanks to support TWRS activities, and the estimated design capacities for various processing facilities that are required to support legally mandated program commitment dates. This paper discusses how the simulation was used to investigate these questions.Major issues ithinkm is a registered trademark of High Performance Systems. Inc. of Hanover, New Hampshire.