Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25)

Facility Description

The K-25 gaseous diffusion plant was built as part of the World War II Manhattan Project to supply enriched uranium for nuclear weapons production. Construction of K-25 started in 1943. It was the first diffusion facility for large-scale separation of uranium-235. It became was fully operable by August 1945. Additional buildings involved in the enrichment process were operable by 1956. Along with the plants in Paducah, KY, and Portsmouth, OH, the site was used primarily for the production of highly-enriched uranium for nuclear weapons until 1964.

From 1959 to 1969, focus shifted to the production of commercial-grade, low-enriched uranium. In 1985, declining demand for enriched uranium caused the enrichment process to be placed on standby. In 1987, the process was stopped permanently.

The Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant was also a host for centrifuge facilities constructed as part of a program to develop and demonstrate uranium-enrichment technology. These facilities have also been shut down.

Throughout the course of its operations, the potential for beryllium exposure existed at this site, due to beryllium use, residual contamination, and decontamination activities.

Since 1988, the primary DOE mission at K-25 has been remediation, though on-site DOE contractors and sub-contractors continue to provide on-site services which are covered under EEOICPA. Also during this time, DOE paid for the construction of the Toxic Substances Control Act. (TSCA) incinerator which disposed of certain regulated wastes, much of which originated at various DOE facilities. In 1997 the name of the facility was changed to the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) to reflect its changing nature. However, during this period of remediation, the process of privatization of K-25 into the ETTP was ongoing. This privatization effort involved leasing portions of the premises out to private industry to conduct their own business there. These private businesses and their employees are not covered under the EEOICPA.

SITE-WIDE CONTRACTORS: URS/CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR)(2011-present); Bechtel Jacobs (1998–2011); Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (1994-1998); Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (1984-1994); Union Carbide & Carbon Corp. (1943-1984).

TSCA INCINERATOR for design, construction and operation: constructed by DOE in 1984 under Martin Marietta Energy Systems (MMES) (1984- 1988); operated by Lockheed Martin Energy Systems (LMES) (1988 to 12/18/1997); BJC (12/18/1997-9/30/2011); UCOR D&D (2011-present).

REMEDIATION CONTRACTORS: BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels Limited) was the DOE prime contractor for the complete D&D of three buildings (8/25/1997-9/30/2004).