PNNL

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Energy initiated the Tanks Focus Area (TFA) concept in 1994 to integrate the cleanup efforts of the sites containing radioactive tank wastes. A team of seven contractors and national laboratories was assembled to develop and implement technical solutions to the unique problems encountered in cleaning up large quantities of highly radioactive wastes in tanks that can only be accessed through riser pipes. TFA work focuses on safety, characterization, retrieval, pretreatment, immobilization, and closure. Many technologies are under development, two of which are the highly successful cesium removal system and the robotic light duty utility arm for deploying equipment inside tanks.