DUF6 Project Modernizes Transportation, Improving Safety and Efficiency

Team members at the Paducah Site depleted uranium hexafluoride plant use a tow motor to move a cylinder. The addition of the new equipment marks a pivotal advancement in operational safety and efficiency at the Paducah and Portsmouth project sites.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Recent upgrades have significantly improved operational efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability for the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Project at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) Portsmouth, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, sites.

A key development is the introduction of tow motors and carts for transporting DUF6 cylinders. This innovative shift enhances maneuverability and increases safety compared to legacy equipment used for past operations.

“Introducing tow motors is a game changer for the DUF6 project,” said Zak Lafontaine, Portsmouth Paducah Project Office (PPPO) DUF6 program manager. “This upgrade improves safety, reduces environmental impact and ensures more efficient operations at our sites.”

By integrating these advancements, the DUF6 project sites are setting a benchmark for modernization in industrial operations. These upgrades reflect a forward-thinking approach, combining safety and environmental stewardship with operational excellence, paving the way for a safer future.

PPPO conducts operations of the DUF6 conversion plants as required by Public Law 107-206.

For decades, these gaseous diffusion plants enriched uranium for use in nuclear weapons and later began supplying enriched uranium to the commercial nuclear industry. DUF6 is a coproduct of the uranium enrichment process. The DUF6 Conversion Project converts the stored DUF6 into depleted uranium oxide, a more stable chemical form that can be reused, stored or disposed of.

Workers at the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Project use new tow motors and carts for transporting depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders for processing.

Workers use tow motors to offload a cylinder at the Paducah Site depleted uranium hexafluoride plant.

Tow motors, compared to a previous cylinder handler, offers numerous advantages for cylinder storage yard operations. These systems are smaller and easier to maneuver, and provide greater visibility for operators. This reduces the potential for accidents, ensuring a safer environment for technicians working in cylinder storage areas. The reduced size and increased precision of the equipment minimize wear and tear on the infrastructure, prolonging its operational life and reliability.

Beyond safety, these upgrades contribute to more sustainable operations. Tow motors significantly lower fuel costs while decreasing harmful emissions, aligning with broader environmental objectives.

"This upgrade demonstrates our dedication to progress and innovation,” said Dutch Conrad, project manager at Mid-America Conversion Services, the EM contractor responsible for DUF6 operations and maintenance. “Notably, our systems can deliver up to fourteen cylinders, underscoring the efficiency and reliability of this advanced technology.”

-Contributor: Kearney Canter