Mobile Arm Retrieval System (MARS) demo on hardheel tank retrieval

Designed to retrieve radioactive and chemical waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state, the Mobile Arm Retrieval System (MARS) cuts through hardheel simulant (the dark material in the video) during a recent demonstration.

Hardheel waste is material that has settled firmly at the bottom of the tanks. It is characterized as a thick, heavy sand-like material and is the most challenging to retrieve. The Department of Energy and Washington River Protection Solutions are working together to integrate new, innovative technologies to complete the tank retrieval mission.

BACKGROUND:
The eductor MARS system is being developed to be capable of cleaning out radioactive and chemical waste storage tanks using limited liquid addition and maintaining a minimum liquid inventory in the tank at all times. This concept is a variation of the direct vacuum removal system to provide a more robust system. Eductor systems are commonly used throughout North America to do private mining for precious metals or semi-precious stones.

The eductor style end-effector system simplifies the original vacuum design by reducing the overall complexity of the system, including removing pressure vessel requirements and simplifying lifting/installation by reducing the number of cranes needed. The eductor system design also makes the pumping system more efficient and controllable, allowing the system to run in a stable manner during both active retrieval and during waste pump out

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Hanford
• science
• tanks
• waste
• radioactive
• chemical
• technology
• retrieval
• department of energy
• doe
• office of river protection
• orp
• WRPS
• ARRA
• Tri-Cities
• Richland