Y-12 receives DOE award for sustainability efforts
Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge recently received a U.S. Department of Energy Sustainability Award for Strategic Partnerships for Sustainability.
Working with partners such as Johnson Controls, the U.S. Army, and the Savannah River Site, the Y-12 team was recognized for its efforts to facilitate the reuse of refrigerant, use additive manufacturing for unique part production, and implement wastewater treatment process improvements, according to a news release from Consolidated Nuclear Security, Y-12's contracted operator.
Y-12 is replacing outdated equipment with energy-efficient equipment that reduces the site’s energy and water use and does not use greenhouse-gas-producing refrigerants. Part of that effort involves the safe removal of refrigerants from the systems.
Initially, those refrigerants were destined for a reclamation company, but the DOE’s Savannah River Site (SRS) had a need for the material, and the plan was modified. Partnering with Johnson Controls Inc. and SRS, Y-12 was able to begin shipping cylinders of refrigerant to a vendor for reclamation and then to SRS for continued use.
This Y-12 energy savings initiative reduces power use by more than 10 million kWh each year with an associated savings of almost $500,000 in electricity. The project also reduces water consumption by more than 55 million gallons per year, with an associated savings of approximately $140,000.
Minimal waste, minuscule tolerances
In general, additive manufacturing minimizes waste by reducing the amount of scrap produced. When working with the U.S. Army at White Sands Missile Range, Y-12 took this advantage a step further by fabricating an irregular part with a crooked hole using limited material. Y-12 then machined the material exactly to specifications, working with tolerances of about half the thickness of a dollar bill.
Improving wastewater processing
Since the late 1990s, wastewater had been captured in a holding tank that required treatment with large quantities of chemicals prior to safe release. After treatment, 400,000-plus-gallon batches were discharged to East Fork Popular Creek.
Reducing both the quantity of chemicals and the flow of discharge was the preferable situation. LATA Atkins Technical Services Inc. (LATS) and Y-12 collaborated to complete requested upgrades to the treatment system, including allowing in-line pH adjustments using fewer chemicals along with direct discharge. This upgrade also eliminated obsolete equipment.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Y-12 receives DOE award for sustainability efforts
