| Abstract: | This article updates previous cost savings studies conducted to evaluate the use of enhanced sludge washing (ESW) of high‐level radioactive waste at the United States Department of Energy Hanford Site. The cost savings estimate was updated using stochastic analysis based on new information from the Independent Review of Hanford High Level Waste Volume and the more recent Tank Waste Remediation System Operation and Utilization Plan. It is estimated that implementation of ESW in the tank waste remediation system (TWRS) at the Hanford Site can save approximately $4.8 billion compared to the use of an alternative, simpler water wash. The simpler water wash dissolution was found to be 85 percent as effective as the ESW dissolution. Further, the updated remediation cost estimate of $4.8 billion savings is uncertain only within ±$1.6 billion at the 95 percent confidence interval. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
