Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Main HVAC Systems

Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Main HVAC Systems

Dept. of Energy Hanford Site, Richland, WA

This project demonstrates:

• Quality – Similar to NQA-1
• Fabrication – HVAC Ductwork
• Safety – DOE VPP STAR Status
• Design – Ductwork & Supports
• Construction – HVAC Systems
• Personnel Experience
• Project Controls & Scheduling

The Challenge

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires a facility to treat millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical wastes produced during the Cold War nuclear defense activities in Eastern Washington. Doing so will protect the Columbia River and those who live downstream of the Hanford Site.

DOE hired Bechtel National, Inc. to construct the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) to safely process the waste for long-term storage. Bechtel selected Intermech, Inc., to perform the fabrication and installation of the Main HVAC ductwork systems for the WTP project.

The first-of-a-kind radiochemical processing plant requires the fabrication and installation of nearly 3,800,000 lbs. of ductwork and supports, with a significant portion being safety critical. This $70 Million plus HVAC fabrication and installation contract is critical to providing proper airflow and pressures to protect workers and the public after the plant becomes operational.

Site preparation began in October 2001 and the plant is scheduled to be completed and commissioned by November 2019.

Intermech's Response

Intermech works with WTP's design and engineering staff on the design and fabrication of the HVAC duct and supports (Intermech performs the detailed design work). After Bechtel approval, Intermech fabricates, installs and performs leak testing of the HVAC ductwork and supports.

Intermech is fabricating and installing nuclear-quality and commercial grade HVAC infrastructure throughout the WTP under NQA-1 standards.

The Results

Intermech has fabricated more than 920,000 pounds of HVAC ductwork and supports within its Richland, WA based shop - on time and on budget. The combination of nuclear-quality and commercial-grade HVAC infrastructure throughout the WTP process facilities will provide proper airflow to ensure worker comfort and safety during operations. In addition, the HVAC ductwork is designed to meet comprehensive federal and state emissions system requirements to protect the public and environment during WTP operations.

For its WTP Work, DOE awarded Intermech its Voluntary Protection Program's STAR status for Intermech's fabrication facility, the highest level of recognition available in the agency's safety program. Intermech was the first ever lower-tier subcontractor to earn STAR status from DOE, which honors cooperative efforts.