One of the empty storage tanks being removed
from its concrete vault.
This summer, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is continuing to address potential sources of contamination by removing two storage tanks at Building 830. The tanks have been excavated and removed, and will soon be packaged for off-site disposal.
The two 1,000-gallon tanks, which have been emptied and are no longer in service, had contained mixed waste from Building 830 operations. Building 830 houses two experimental laboratories and a waste management department.
The project began with the excavation of the two tanks, which were buried under several feet of soil. After the tanks were inspected to ensure they were still intact, a crane was brought in to remove the tanks from their concrete vault using a large sling. Each tank was weighed, and they were both placed on a liner and covered to protect them. The next step will involve packaging the tanks so they can be sent off-site for disposal.
Additional work to be performed this summer includes removing a related valve vault, piping, contaminated soil, and vegetation. These items will also be packaged and sent off-site to a permitted storage facility for disposal.
Over the past five years, nine storage tanks have been removed, and another six are scheduled for removal next year.