The installation of a temporary HVAC system to provide temperature and humidity controls for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) was completed in March.

“We are working steadfastly to accelerate work and accomplish milestones like this to meet schedule requirements for the SRPPF pit production mission,” said Dennis Carr, President and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), managing and operating contractor.

Crews at the Savannah River Site (SRS) completed the installation of a temporary HVAC system for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) in March. The system is designed to support cooling for construction personnel as they work to transform the structure into a modern production facility in support of national security.

“The pit production mission is a priority for the NNSA,” said Carr. “The Savannah River Site is already ramping up construction activities at SRPPF and preparing to support this enduring mission.”

The SRPPF Main Process Building is a 400,000-square-foot, seismically-qualified, concrete structure. It was originally designed to dispose of surplus weapons-grade plutonium, converting it into fuel assemblies for use in commercial nuclear power plants.

The plutonium pit production mission is an essential part of the NNSA’s long-term strategy for nuclear stockpile sustainment. Under federal law and to meet national security requirements, NNSA must be able to produce no fewer than 80 pits per year to maintain and replenish the nuclear stockpile. Responsibilities for manufacturing 80 pits per year will be shared between SRS and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).