Journey to Melter Heatup
The Department of Energy’s Hanford Vit Plant is on a journey to heat up the first of two melters, considered the heart of a process that transforms nuclear waste into a glass form safe for storage. This process – called vitrification – will help protect our environment and rivershore communities from Hanford’s legacy waste. Follow us on this journey toward achieving Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste in 2025, which follows a process called Commissioning to reach operations.
Commissioning is fully underway. Learn more about key steps along the Commissioning road with these interactive waypoints, below.
MELTER HEATUP PROCESS 3D ANIMATION
Three-Dimensional Animation of Melter Heatup Process
The Hanford Vit Plant team has prepared a three-dimensional animation that shows the process our team will follow to heat up the first Low-Activity Waste Facility melter. In under six minutes you will gain a better understanding of the process steps the Vit Plant team will take to heat up the melter to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
WHAT’S NEW
MELTERS 101
Considered the “heart” of the Low-Activity Waste Facility, two 300-ton nuclear waste melters – the largest nuclear industry melters in the world – will be used to heat Hanford’s low-activity tank waste and glass-forming materials to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heated mixture is then poured into stainless steel containers for permanent storage – a process called vitrification. Employees have finished assembly of the melters and these key pieces of equipment are now undergoing extensive startup and commissioning testing to ensure successful melter heatup and operation.