Energy Solutions, Inc. announced the onsite completion of the SEFOR Test Reactor Decommissioning project located 20 miles from the heart of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The SEFOR test reactor, which was constructed in the 1960s, operated into the early 1970s before it was permanently shut down. The facility was transferred to the University of Arkansas, via Quit Deed, in the mid-70s for calibration and testing of nuclear instrumentation and ceased operations in the early 1980’s.
Decommissioning of the SEFOR facility
The University of Arkansas, with the aid of Energy Solutions, solicited the U.S. DOE for funding
The University of Arkansas, with the support of Energy Solutions, successfully petitioned the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for funding to finish the decommissioning of the SEFOR facility. The decommissioning of the facility, which commenced in 2016, was successfully completed this month on schedule and budget.
"We appreciate the commitment the Department of Energy (DOE) made to fund the decommissioning of the SEFOR test reactor," stated Ken Robuck, President and CEO of Energy Solutions, adding "I would also like to recognize Arkansas Representative Steve Womack, Senator John Boozman and University of Arkansas officials for this joint effort to complete this project. Without their help to secure funding from the DOE this project would not have been completed on schedule and within the budget allocated for the project."
EnergySolutions disposal facility
This final phase of the project, which began in 2017, involved the dismantlement of all above-grade structures, cleanout and removal of all systems, structures, and components from below-grade, and the removal of the reactor and ancillary equipment. All of the radioactive waste was packaged and shipped to licensed disposal facilities. The majority of the waste was shipped to the Energy Solutions disposal facility in the west desert of Utah.
"The application of the Energy Solutions Decommissioning Management Model at SEFOR produced results that exceeded our expectations," stated John Sauger, Chief Nuclear Officer of Energy Solutions, adding "A site that pioneered research for reactivity control in fast neutron reactors has now been restored to its natural state, the same goal we have for every project we complete."
