Operation of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Facilities

MARKETS: Nuclear

LOCATION: Kentucky and Ohio

CLIENT: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management

The AtkinsRéalis-led Mid-America Conversion Services, LLC (MCS) joint venture operates the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) two depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) conversion facilities at the Paducah and Portsmouth sites in Kentucky and Ohio. For more than 60 years, the DOE enriched uranium for use in nuclear weapons and later began supplying enriched uranium to the commercial industry.

DUF6 is a coproduct of the uranium enrichment process and must be converted and processed for eventual storage, disposal or reuse. The conversion process for DUF6 consists of five complex parts:

• cylinder recycling
• vaporization
• conversion
• oxide powder handling
• hydrofluoric acid recovery system

Well-trained and knowledgeable personnel are essential to managing and maintaining the various process systems, including the mechanical, chemical, temperature, scrubbing, recycling and storage systems. In addition to DUF6, hydrofluoric acid is another coproduct of the conversion process and can be used in industrial applications.

The DOE’s current inventory of DUF6 consists of more than 63,000 cylinders, or 800,000 metric tons, which will be processed in 18 years at the Portsmouth site and in 30 years at the Paducah site. By integrating safety management and work practices at all levels, we can ensure our mission is accomplished while protecting the workers, public and environment.