Technological Advancements Underway for Tank Refurbishment at Hanford

Crews at Hanford’s Cold Test Facility have been using mock-up demonstrations to show how robotic equipment can be used to navigate the space between the first and second shell of a Double-Shell Tank (DST), known as the annulus. Recently, they also demonstrated that robots equipped with cold spray technology can refurbish a mock annulus floor. Stephanie Doll, WRPS technical lead for tank refurbishment projects, is impressed with the potential application of this technology for the Hanford double-shell tanks based on the data gathered during full-scale demonstrations. She also commends the field crew for their invaluable feedback and proficiency in deploying and operating the equipment, which has been key to the project’s success so far.

The recent demonstration validated the capabilities of the system, bringing the technology a step closer to potentially becoming part of Hanford’s tank integrity toolkit. The team’s progress in using robotic equipment and cold spray technology in the annulus of DSTs shows promise for improving tank maintenance and refurbishment processes. With continued success and refinement, this technology could play a significant role in ensuring the long-term integrity of the tanks at Hanford.