Storage Vaults Aid Idaho Liquid Waste Treatment Project

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Crews have finished constructing 13 storage vaults for the Idaho Cleanup Project’s Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU) as they continue to make strides toward fulfilling an important commitment to the state of Idaho to convert a radioactive liquid waste into a safer, more stable granular solid.

Construction of the large concrete vaults is essential to the facility as they store the stainless steel canisters that contain the converted waste.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management crews finished building the 13 vaults by pouring concrete walls over a heavy base and placing lids over the vaults until they are ready for use. Vault bases and lids are formed offsite, but due to the vaults’ immense size and weight — each weighing approximately 325,000 pounds when empty — final assembly must be performed onsite.

During operations, an air pallet, similar to the function of an air hockey table, helps guide these colossal structures from the IWTU’s vault loading area to temporary storage in the product storage building.

To date, the IWTU has successfully filled 21 vaults, each holding 16 canisters, and treated one-third of the liquid waste stored onsite. An estimated 85 vaults will be filled by the end of IWTU operations. This ongoing project represents a major advancement in the safe management and storage of radioactive materials in Idaho. 

-Contributor: Carter Harrison