Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste

As originally envisioned, the Hanford Vit Plant would treat high-level and low-activity radioactive waste simultaneously. To begin treating waste as soon as practicable, the U.S. Department of Energy developed a sequenced approach that focuses treat low-activity waste first.

The sequenced approach is called Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste, or DFLAW. This approach sends low-activity waste from Hanford’s Tank Farms, where the waste is stored, directly to the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility at the Vit Plant.  It uses a collection of interdependent projects and infrastructure across the Hanford Site that will operate together.

At the Vit Plant, the Effluent Management Facility (EMF) will process liquid secondary waste, called effluent, generated by the LAW Facility. The Vit Plant’s Analytical Laboratory will be used to provide additional support by confirming through scientific characterization of the waste the LAW Facility is producing high-quality and compliant glass.

About 90 percent of the 56 million gallons of waste stored in Hanford’s underground tanks is low-activity waste.

After years of commitment to the safety and quality of the Vit Plant, Bechtel National, Inc. its partners, and DOE are completing the final steps toward operations of Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste. By starting to process Hanford’s low-activity waste, the majority of the waste on the Hanford Site, we are securing a cleaner, safer future.

For more information, see the Department of Energy Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste website.