SALT WASTE PROCESSING FACILITY SWPF LESSONS LEARNED

1
SALT WASTE PROCESSING FACILITY(SWPF)LESSONS
LEARNED
2
HISTORY

• SWPF project initiated to provide radioactive
  salt waste decontamination capability necessary
  to support the liquid waste cleanup at SRS
• SWPF features caustic side solvent extraction and
  monosodium titanate adsorption and filtration for
  Cesium and actinide removal, respectively
• Using these extraction methods significantly
  reduces the material to be vitrified
• Parsons was chosen to design, build, commission,
  and operate the SWPF

3
DESIGN

• The preliminary safety analysis was consistent
  with DOE directives and guidance
• The conclusion was that primary confinement
  system and the central building structure
  warranted performance category 2 design criteria,
  i.e. PC-2
• Exceeded local guidance for protection of the
  co-located worker

4
DNFSB

• DNFSB review concluded that protection of the
  co-located worker warranted use of PC-3 design
  criteria
• PC-3 invokes a increased level of conservatism in
  design and construction
• Extensive discussion ensued between the
  Department and the DNFSB
• The subjective nature of the safe harbor guidance
  made issue resolution difficult

5
PATH FORWARD

• After extensive discussions with the DNFSB, DOE
  decided to implement the recommended upgrades
• The design upgrades and associated construction
  increased the overall project cost and extended
  the schedule
• Parsons and DOE are working on the Enhanced
  Preliminary Design to incorporate the design
  upgrades
• Currently proceeding on track to CD-2

6
LESSONS LEARNED

• Keep stakeholders/regulators fully informed of
  critical decision points in the project and any
  associated issues and/or impacts
• Better coordination with all affected parties is
  necessary
• Objective criteria are warranted for determining
  worker protection and seismic design standards
• Issues need to be aggressively managed and
  resolved