Trench 94 - Defueled Nuclear Reactor Storage

USA / Washington / Benton City /
 radioactive, United States Navy, nuclear waste storage
Trench 94 at the Hanford Reservation is the last stop for defueled and decommissioned nuclear reactors removed from ships and Submarines that are scrapped at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's Ship/Submarine Recycling Program (SRP). Nearly every Nuclear-powered US Navy Submarine, Cruiser and Aircraft Carrier has either had or will have its reactor compartment sent here for long-term storage.

Following defueling and separation from its vessel, each reactor compartment is encased in a specially designed containment housing and subsequently loaded aboard a railcar, barge and then truck to make the journey from Bremerton to the Hanford Reservation. Upon arrival, each compartment is further encased in a housing that is designed to be secure for at least 600 years before the first potential penetration of the compartment occurs, with nearly one thousand years passing before any significant leakage becomes possible.

Presently, the reactors in Trench 94 are maintained in open-air storage for verification of US compliance with the provisions of various treaties, but are slated to be further encased, sealed and buried.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   46°33'59"N   119°31'9"W

Comments

  • Most likly never buried because of treaty verification.
This article was last modified 11 years ago