H Canyon Team Completed First Time Evolution

The H Canyon team has again proved their expertise, met a challenge head on, and completed a first time evolution. This time, they potentially saved the company over $1 million by flushing the 16.1-1S decanter instead of replacing it.

The 16.1-1S decanter is used to separate organic and aqueous solutions (from H Canyon sumps) prior to being run through evaporators and discarded to the Tank Farm. It is essential to H Canyon operations. Without the availability of the decanter, the sumps would fill up causing a rippling effect throughout H Canyon which would stop all processing capability.

In January, the team noted that all of the solution going through the decanter was being pushed out the organic side of the decanter, indicating that there was a block in the underflow weir. Engineering and Operations personnel obtained video footage of the inside of the decanter, which confirmed their belief that the decanter, after 50 years of service, had become plugged with sand from sump material being transferred through the decanter. The group attempted to pump the sand out of the decanter, but was unsuccessful.

So, the team developed a plan to remove the decanter remotely, using the New Hot Crane, to the H Canyon railroad tunnel so that internal flushes could be done by hand. This was a challenging job that had never been performed, and there were many unknown variables.

After several weeks of planning and preparation, the group successfully moved the decanter and flushed out the blockage. The decanter was moved back to H Canyon, remotely reinstalled, checked for leaks and declared back in service.

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