SRPPF: Fulfilling a mission of national importance

• October 14, 2023

Every day brings fresh progress to the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site.

Following release of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, which stated that the U.S. Department of Defense requires no fewer than 80 plutonium pits per year to meet nuclear stockpile requirements, the pit production mission at SRS became an area of national focus. As the country developed strategies for manufacturing new pits at the rate needed to maintain the nation’s nuclear deterrent, the National Nuclear Security Administration established a two-site approach for restoring plutonium pit production capabilities, which had largely ceased during the late 1980s.

SRPPF will be required to produce a minimum of 50 war reserve pits per year, while the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico will be required to produce 30 war reserve pits per year. SRS is achieving its part of this objective by re-purposing an existing facility on site, allowing NNSA to make use of a seismically qualified production facility of about 400,000 square feet, with numerous supporting facilities, including office, assembly, and fabrication space. This also takes advantage of existing SRS services and infrastructure, such as electricity, water, sewer, security, fire protection, and emergency response. This strategy leverages the world-class SRS safety and security culture and the Site’s proven track record of consistently meeting DOD’s requirements and schedules.

A vast, multidisciplinary project team is working to produce and deliver the design package for SRPPF. NNSA’s management and operating partner at SRS, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, provides Program Management Support and Project Integration for the team, which includes Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, and Savannah River National Laboratories, along with two engineering companies: Fluor Corporation and Merrick and Company, operating under contract with SRNS. Fluor is designing the balance-of-plant systems for the production process, such as electrical, plumbing and ventilation, while Merrick is assisting with the design of the plutonium confinement systems, or gloveboxes – a service they have previously provided for LANL. These gloveboxes will be a critical component of the plutonium production process, as they provide a protective environment for transmitting materials, tools, and waste. Progress on the gloveboxes continues, as the first Request for Proposals were issued to potential suppliers in May 2023, preparing for future fabrication.

In January 2023, the SRPPF construction project achieved a new milestone, as the dismantlement and removal (D&R) phase began, marking the first “hands on” work using construction and craft employees hired through local trade unions. During this phase, crews are actively working to safely dismantle and remove commodities from the structure without damaging the configuration of items projected for reuse. As of now, removal work is approximately 60% complete with over 2,000 gross tons (4.5 million pounds) of materials transported offsite for recycling. Dedicated crews are working to remove coatings and install temporary HVAC and communications systems, preparing the building for construction.

SRNS has also established the Savannah River Plutonium (Pu) Modernization Program to lead the commissioning and operating of the facility and to develop and train a workforce that will support the enduring plutonium pit mission. It is expected that SRPPF will require more than 1,900 highly skilled personnel to perform machining, welding, testing, and inspection of the final product. Several unique skills sets will be needed to supplement the SRPPF workforce, including areas such as metrology, high precision machining, cybersecurity, and specialized nuclear skills.

SRS is engaging with local middle and high schools and community organizations, as well as local and regional technical schools and universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to expand training programs, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities. Targeted recruitment campaigns have been deployed to attract veterans, along with IT, Engineering, and Project Controls personnel.

“We are committed to recruiting and retaining an innovative, talented and diverse workforce to support the Site’s critical SRPPF/Pu Programs mission, which is a national security priority,” said Angela Martin, HR Manager for NNSA Capital Projects. “Our recruitment efforts range from a new billboard campaign, targeted social media efforts and increased presence at career and recruitment events. In addition, we are constantly pursuing creative strategies to enhance employee engagement, such as rewards and recognition programs, so that our employees have a workplace culture where they feel valued and included.”

To further support and develop the skill sets of those hired to operate the facility, an on-site High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center (HFTOC) is being established to accelerate the workforce development pipeline. While production facility construction work continues, the HFTOC will be used to train personnel and develop operator proficiency. Additional training programs include a Knowledge Transfer Program and Mutual Support Program, which were developed in partnership with LANL to share knowledge and lessons learned between the two sites, as they both work to further their shared mission.

“SRS remains committed to supporting the nation’s strategic defense by modernizing the nuclear weapons stockpile and producing the plutonium pits needed to keep our country safe through sustainable nuclear deterrence,” said James Angelos, Senior Vice President NNSA Plutonium Programs and Operations.

Upon completion, the plutonium pit production mission and SRPPF facility will make use of the skills, expertise, and experience that have allowed SRS to continue its enduring mission of serving the U.S. nuclear deterrent, just as it has for nearly 75 years.