Bulk Processing Unit for Liquid and Solid LLW

Equipped to Handle Large Components

Only Commercial Facility Authorized to Manage TRU Waste

Perma-Fix Northwest

2025 Battelle Blvd. Richland, WA - (509) 375-5160

Perma-Fix Northwest (PFNW), located on 35 acres next to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Site, specializes in treating low-level radioactive waste (LLW) and mixed low-level radioactive waste (MLLW). The facility has separate licensed areas for LLW and MLLW and is equipped to handle large components, with a dedicated rail spur for direct waste transport, reducing public road usage and community health risks. PFNW operates two Bulk Process Units (BPUs) for thermal processing of both liquid and solid LLW. These units provide significant volume reduction ratios of up to 100:1. PFNW is also the only commercial facility authorized to manage transuranic (TRU) waste and has safely processed over 5,000 cubic meters of TRU waste from the DOE Hanford site. Our team excels in handling high-activity materials and has decontaminated over 2 million pounds of metals from an active nuclear plant. PFNW also maintains Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) certification and can dispose of waste at all U.S. disposal sites. With its large capacity, rail access, BPUs, and expert staff, PFNW is ideal for managing complex waste streams and large components.

pfnw site

Waste Treatment capabilities

PFNW
  • Stabilization and Neutralization
  • Solidification and Macroencapsulation
  • Radiological contaminated Elemental Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb)
  • Labpack Processing
  • PCB Separation
  • Thermal and Non-Thermal Volume Reduction
  • NORM and TENORM treatment and disposal
  • Sort and Segregation
  • Solvent Extraction/Debris Washing
  • Thermal Processing of LLW Liquids and Solids

Waste Treatment Types

waste types
  • Radioactive Waters
  • Oils and Sludges
  • NORM/TENORM Waste
  • Transuranic Waste (TRU)
  • Corrosive Liquids
  • PCB Liquids and Semi-Solids
  • Debris and Contaminated Soil
  • LLW
  • MLLW
  • Large Components

Bulk Processing Units

BPU

Perma-Fix's Bulk Process Units (BPUs) use advanced thermal processing (combustion) to treat both liquid and solid LLW, achieving significant volume reduction up to 100:1. Operating at 1800°F, the BPU breaks down all organic materials, leaving behind a stable residue suitable for disposal. This innovative technology meets the strictest U.S. and international standards, serving a wide range of sectors including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, utilities, medical institutions, universities, oil and gas, and radiochemistry labs. Perma-Fix operates two BPUs. One is a batch process for solid LLW, using stainless steel burn boxes to ensure complete separability of waste streams and to prevent cross-contamination. The other unit is a continuously fed system primarily used for liquid LLW. The BPU can handle a wide variety of radioactive and contaminated materials without requiring the segregation of combustible and non-combustible items. Additionally, it is equipped with pollution control measures designed to meet the most stringent emission standards.

Licenses and Certifications:

  • Certified to ISO 9001
  • Mixed Waste Radioactive Materials License
  • Low Level Radioactive Materials License
  • Radioactive Air Emissions License
  • Mixed Waste Facility RCRA and TSCA Permit
  • NNSS Certification
  • VPP Star Site – Washington State Workplace Safety & Health Voluntary Protection Program

Additional Treatment Facilities

DSSI

Diversified Scientific Services, Inc.

We operate the only TSCA authorized commercial mixed waste combustion unit in the United States.

.
gainesville office

Perma-Fix of Florida

Our Gainesville FL Facility handles medical, industrial, and specialized waste streams.

.
EWOC

Environmental Waste Operations Center

Our EWOC facility, located in Oak Ridge, TN, is primarily a multi-disciplinary Low-level Waste processing center.

waste

Waste Treatment

Our fixed base facilities offer highly specialized treatment options that help reduce risk and avoid costly internal program development.

. .
services

Nuclear and Radiological Services

Our highly experienced team of professionals can handle domestic and international challenges across all project disciplines.

. .
instrumentation

Health Physics
Services

We have cutting-edge technologies, a large team of industry experts, extensive capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to safety.

. .
innovation

Innovation and Technology Development

We are equipped with the capability and facilities to pioneer groundbreaking innovations in unique treatment capabilities.

. .

Location

Perma-Fix Northwest
2025 Battelle Blvd.
Richland, WA 99354
Phone: (509) 375-5160
Fax: (509) 375-0613



Contact Us

NQA-1 Certification

NQA-1 Compliant

PFNW's Quality Management System (QMS) is compliant with the standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in their Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA) program. NQA-1 emphasizes the importance of each individual's role in our operations, and by applying these standards, we can efficiently manage the processing and disposition of any radioactive materials.