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HANFORD

Laboratories

The William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory will focus attention on DOE's science and technology needs in environmental restoration and waste management, especially those vital to Hanford cleanup. The high-tech lab cost $230 million -- $50 million for the laboratory construction and the balance to equipment and other costs. The EMSL began operations in the summer of 1997.

A national, one-of-a-kind, user facility, the EMSL attracts scientists around the world to the Tri-Cities. Scientists from industry, the academic community and other government agencies collaborate with EMSL staff on research. The 200,000-square foot building includes a single-story laboratory and conference area and a two-story office area, and will be located near the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) main complex. Because it is a national collaborative scientific research facility, the EMSL accommodates visiting scientists and students as well as permanent staff--about 250 in all.

Building 222S Laboratory Complex

This chemical laboratory performs sample analysis of high-level radioactive and mixed waste. Chemical process development at a bench scale is also performed. Cs-137 and Sr-90, in quantities of hundreds of curies, are the major radioisotopes used. Small quantities (less than the limit for an "isolated facility") of plutonium are also used.

324 Building, Waste Technology Engineering Laboratory

The 324 Building contains hot cells that were used for handling highly radioactive material and a radioactive mateiral storage pad outside. The building is being deactivated. It provided a capability for high-level radioactive chemical processing and metallurgical engineering studies and nonradioactive waste treatability pilot scale studies. This building was an R&D facility; therefore, the work being done in the building changed as programs are concluded and others are started. Typically, 30 to 50 projects are ongoing. Work processes include cutting and machining of nuclear materials and handling and working with hazardous chemicals and materials. Nuclear materials, special nuclear material (SNM) in excess of 1 kg, spent reactor fuel for research purposes, and significant quantities of dispersible and nondispersible radioactive and fissionable material are in Building 324.

Built in 1966 and called the Fuel Recycle Pilot Plant, it was later known as the Chemical Materials Engineering Laboratory. Since the late 1960s, the 324 Building B Cell has been used to demonstrate chemical engineering pilot-scale processes for high- and low-level waste management. These pilot-scale activities have left B Cell filled with highly contaminated equipment, cell waste, potentially hazardous waste, and radioactive materials. A major process equipment leak involving about 500 liters of liquid-fed ceramic melter feed occurred in B Cell in October 1986. This leak resulted in the accumulation of significant quantities of fission products, predominantly Sr-90 and Cs-137. Waste vitrification work was also performed in the building through the 1980s.

325 Building, Radiochemcial Processing Laboratory

It was originally built in 1953 to store and handle multi-curie level chemical development. From 1959 to 1960, the High Level Radiochemistry wing was constructed. It was formerly called the Applied Chmesitry Laboraty. The building was transferred to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNL) in 1987 and is now called the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL). Classified as an EM Category II Nuclear Faility, it is the site of PNL analytical radiochemistry verification and research. PNL also operates the 331 Building, the Life Sciences Laboratory; the 318 Building, the Radiological Calibrations Building; and the 350 Building Plant Operations and Maintenance Facility.

327 Building, Post Irradiation Testing Laboratory

This facility examined irradiated fuels and materials via destructive and nondestructive testing. This involves cutting, machining, and drilling materials and requires workers to wear extensive personal protective equipment. The facility used or contains irradiated mixed oxide, oxide, metal, and carbide fuels and mixed fission products. In 2000, it was undergoing deactivation, which was still continuing in 2002.