Year
2006
Abstract
In today’s environment, safe and secure storage of our nation’s nuclear assets is of paramount importance. As such, the Department of Energy (DOE) has given approval for the construction of a new facility for long term storage of Category I & II Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) and selected Category III HEU. The new facility has been named the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility (HEUMF) and will be located at the Y-12 National Security Complex. This new facility has proven to be a challenge to ensure that modern Design Basis Threat (DBT) criteria are met while ensuring Integrated Safety Management, Conduct of Operations, and efficient operations are included in the design. In order to meet this criterion new paradigms are being developed and new technologies are being employed which will allow for a more efficient and flexible operation. Once completed, HEUMF will become the flagship storage facility for nuclear material within the nuclear materials management community.