The team observed VSL employees removing equipment, such as bubblers that keep a steady molten pool inside the melter, and observed the employees establishing waste flow into the melter.

“We were able to see molten glass poured, observe how it congeals when poured and pick it up after it had cooled,” said Rieb. “It was a perfect test before we heat up and then run our first melter later this year doe newswire.”

The visit is the latest collaboration between the Hanford team, contractor Atkins and VSL since work at WTP began. Atkins and VSL have been partners in long-term research and development since the late 1970s and developed the melter technology for the WTP. VSL staff, led by Director Ian Pegg, have worked closely with the WTP team and Atkins to test, improve and validate designs for key systems such as the melter, off-gas systems, waste feed, and glass formulations.

“It was a pleasure to work with such a smart and enthusiastic group; the plant is in good hands,” said Pegg. “The group came loaded with questions and it’s so much more powerful to be able to address them by showing and not just telling.”

The WTP team is also planning to expand its experience through additional visits.

“It’s exciting for us to host our WTP colleagues, given how close their facility is to heating up the first melter to make glass,” said Brad Bowan, senior vice president of engineering, technology and training for Atkins. “We are proud to be an integral part of the project and know we’re helping achieve an important cleanup mission at the Hanford Site.”