Half-century Old Reactor Gets “Wired” for Technology

Aiken, SC -- After more than a half-century since its construction, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) R Reactor has taken a leap forward with the introduction of a local wireless Intranet service, even as it undergoes final closure under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

R Reactor has not operated since 1964, so there have been no upgrades to the area in years. The reactor was also the first at SRS to be deactivated, so utilities and other services have been shut down.

The first email was sent from within the remote boundaries of R Area on February 18. The email was addressed to Mary Flora, director of Area Completion Projects, whose response summed up the event by simply stating, “Welcome to the 21st century!”

As SRS Recovery Act teams descended on two of the DOE’s retired nuclear weapons production reactors in P and R Area to complete their final closure, logistical challenges began to emerge. Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), LLC., DOE’s management and operating contractor at SRS, worked to overcome communication and productivity challenges at R Area. SRNS partnered with Advanced Technology Group, a local female-owned Native American local small business, on the project. Advanced Technology Group installed the wireless system while SRNS handled the infrastructure and tower installation. The project cost about $250,000 and services over 75 remote workers.

One of the major challenges associated with the dual-closure of the reactors was accessibility to the Site network for those located in R Area. The system, known as SRSnet, is used for radiological data collection, time-keeping, safety documentation, and other essential business needs. Prior to the installation of the Intranet Access, 17 teams were required to report to P Area, approximately two miles away, twice daily, for radiological control accountability using software that could only be accessed via the SRSnet.

“This is an exciting time at SRS, in addition to putting hard working Americans back on the job; we are improving communications and ultimately, the productivity at some of our most remote work sites. The implementation of wireless technology at R Reactor will undoubtedly showcase the benefits of incorporating technology across the Site, allowing us to improve safety, accountability and productivity while ensuring that we continue to make each tax dollar go as far as possible,” said Zack Smith, DOE’s Federal Project Director of the SRS Recovery Act Project.

Understanding these challenges, SRNS devised a plan to bring current technology to R Reactor, a plan which catapulted the aged reactor complex from the days of black hard-wired telephones and public address systems to wireless access to SRSnet.

“The introduction of local wireless SRSnet access at some of SRS’s most remote areas has evolved into a greater return on investment than we originally anticipated. We quickly realized that day-to-day work activities for hundreds of SRS employees could be improved, both inside the reactor area and at other remote sites. We are excited that we have conquered the immediate challenge and in-turn, improved operations for numerous organizations at SRS,” said Rich Slocum, vice president, Recovery Act Portfolio.

Looking beyond the essential productivity needs at R Area, SRNS quickly realized that other scopes of work could also benefit from the use of this technology. Steps are being taken to permit workers in F and H Tank Farms to collect radiological data via SRSnet, rather than traditional data gathering performed with hand-held instruments. This improvement will also reduce health risks associated with data collection in radiological areas.

The new system, funded under the Recovery Act, not only solves an immediate and complex business problem but the easy-to-configure system can be relocated to other areas in the future, saving time and tax dollars without sacrificing worker safety and productivity.