Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU)

The Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU), a first-of-a-kind, 53,000-square-foot facility, is treating 900,000 gallons of liquid radioactive and hazardous waste that has been stored in underground storage tanks. The waste – called sodium bearing waste – was generated from operations at Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. The liquid is stored in three stainless steel 300,000-gallon storage tanks that are part of a tank farm of 15 tanks.

Site workers use a steam reforming technology to convert the liquid to a solid, granular material; package it in stainless steel canisters; and store the containers in concrete vaults at the site.

Any emissions generated during the treatment campaign are filtered through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and Granulated Activated Charcoal filters and sampled to ensure regulatory requirements are met.