This presentation provides an appreciation for the tremendous chemical processing challenges met in the development of the Defense Waste Process Facility (DWPF) process. The DWPF is presently under construction and is due for completion in 1989. Before radioactive waste is introduced to the DWPF in late 1989, the remote operation of all equipment and all process steps must be demonstrated.

Decades of nuclear materials production at the Dept. of Energy¿s (DoE) Savannah River Site in S. Carolina have left 37 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste in 49 underground storage tanks. In Dec. 2008, DoE entered into a contract with Savannah River Remediation, LLC (SRR) to close, by 2017, 22 of the highest-risk tanks at a cost of $3.2 billion. This report assessed: (1) DoE¿s cost estimates and schedule for closing the tanks at the Savannah River Site; and (2) the primary challenges, if any, to closing the tanks and the steps DoE has taken to address them. The auditor visited the Savannah River Site and reviewed tank closure documents. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.