Georgia Institute of Technology

“Serving as Executive Engineer for Decommissioning Project”

How should the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) most effectively decommission the Neely Research Center?

MWH is working closely with university officials to do just that. As executive engineer of Georgia Tech’s decommissioning project, MWH is arranging for the removal and disposition of approximately 80,000 Ci of Cobalt-60 radioactive materials – as well as equipment and supplies shown to have residual radiation above unrestricted release limits.

The project goal is to allow the Neely Research Center to be released from License by the Environmental Protection Division, State of Georgia, for unrestricted use by Georgia Tech. Once the decommissioning project is completed, the Neely Research Center will be demolished.

By identifying ownership of Cobalt-60 waste to the United States Department of Energy, MWH was able to save Georgia Tech between $2-3 million.

Professional Services and Technical Guidance

For the project, MWH is providing a full range of professional services, advice and technical guidance during the planning phase. During the decommissioning efforts, MWH will provide comprehensive project management and technical contract administration services, including environmental health and safety plans and quality assurance programs. MWH will supervise the decommissioning contractor.

The decommissioning efforts will focus on:

• The high bay area
• The hot cell
• The radiochemistry laboratory
• The decontamination room
• The Cobalt-60 storage areas
• The radioactive waste barn
• The radioactive waste storage areas
• The holding tanks
• The drains to the holding tanks
• The radwaste treatment facility
• The concrete holding areas at the end of the pool
• The laboratories with hoods.

MWH’s work includes conducting a detailed radiological physical survey of the site and its immediate environs. All radiological materials and residual radioactive contamination will be located, identified, characterized and removed from the premises.