Plutonium-Uranium Extraction (PUREX) Plant
USA /
Washington /
Benton City /
World
/ USA
/ Washington
/ Benton City
World / United States / Washington
military
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200 East has two processing plants, B Plant (1943) and the Plutonium Uranium Extraction Plant (PUREX) (1953).
The 200 Area is where fuel irradiated in the old production reactors was chemically processed to separate and recover plutonium for use in nuclear weapons. Several other valuable isotopes were also recovered. During World War II, the two 200 Areas were constructed about 5 miles apart and in such a manner that it would be difficult for an enemy aerial attack to destroy all of the chemical separations buildings. Originally four separation plants were to be built, two in each area. Three plants were built, but the process worked so well that only two plants were needed.
The 200 Area is where fuel irradiated in the old production reactors was chemically processed to separate and recover plutonium for use in nuclear weapons. Several other valuable isotopes were also recovered. During World War II, the two 200 Areas were constructed about 5 miles apart and in such a manner that it would be difficult for an enemy aerial attack to destroy all of the chemical separations buildings. Originally four separation plants were to be built, two in each area. Three plants were built, but the process worked so well that only two plants were needed.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 46°32'58"N 119°31'13"W
- Umatilla Chemical Depot 75 km
- Yakima Training Center 80 km
- Boardman Air Force Range 87 km
- JBLM North 248 km
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord 259 km
- Jim Creek Naval Radio Station 262 km
- Naval Submarine Base Bangor 280 km
- Naval Magazine Indian Island 298 km
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) Ault Field 314 km
- Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Rocky Point 367 km
- DOE Hanford Site - 200 East Area 0.8 km
- DOE Hanford Site -- Hanford Nuclear Reservation 2 km
- Fitzner-Eberardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve 10 km
- LIGO Hanford Observatory 12 km
- Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge 12 km
- Savage Island 17 km
- Columbia Generating Station 19 km
- Shooting Range 24 km
- Lake Wallula 27 km
- Tri-Cities 40 km