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LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY

KEY FACILITIES

Chemistry and Metallurgy Research

The Chemistry and Metallurgy Research (CMR) AT TA-3 originally contained 550,000 square feet, though not all of it was used. It included analytical chemistry laboratories for conducting studies on small samples of plutonium and other nuclear materials that supported many LANL programs including plutonium processing research and development. The analytical chemistry group also supported all uranium related activities, with a capability for uranium scrap recovery operations, and supported the conversion of various recoverable scrap inventories to an oxide form. These capabilities were established at the CMR building in the early 1980s to permit processing of some enriched uranium waste streams. The building also contained a waste assay facility and a Category I special nuclear material vault. In 1998 the building was undergoing upgrades to the electrical, ventilation and other systems. Planning for the project was started in 1989 and construction began in 1993.

In 2008, the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement (CMRR) Project was underway. Construction of the facility, to support the replacement of existing plutonium pits, which are the triggers for nuclear weapons. The project will relocate analytical chemistry, material characterization, and actinide research and development capabilities to a new facility. The projected cost of the CMRR project is between $745 and $975 million. Construction is scheduled to be completed between 2013 and 2017.

The project is divided into three phases:

Phase A is the Radiological Laboratory/Utility/Office Building (RLUOB), which is planned to include radiological laboratory space, a training center, four classrooms, two nonradiological training simulation labs, a utility building that supports all CMRR Project facilities, and office space to support 350 personnel in segregated cleared and uncleared areas. It will also feature a Facility Incident Command Center, an operations center, and space for future support TA-55 Plutonium Facility (PF-4). An Entrance Control Facility will connect via a tunnel from the RLUOB to the Nuclear Facility. In November 2005 the design-build contract was awarded to Austin Commercial Contractors, LP. The projected cost is $164 million with about 300 construction workers employed under the contract.

Phase B is the Special Facility Equipment (SFE), which includes acquiring the gloveboxes, long-lead facility, and AC/MC equipment.

Phase C is the Nuclear Facility, a single-building that will cover about 225,000 square feet with additional space for worker access control and protective clothing change-out. The facility, which is to be located behind perimeter fences at TA-55, will house Hazard Category II actinide chemistry and materials characterization and actinide research and development operations, Special Nuclear Material storage vaults, and large-vessel handling capabilities. Phase C will be the Security Category I, Hazard Category II facility to support NNSA missions. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2008 and to be completed by 2013.