Recent plutonium metal production experience at Hanford

Plutonium metal is produced at the Hanford Site in the Remote Mechanical C (RMC) line. The line is housed in the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP). The RMC line was built in the early 1960s and operated until 1973 when it was shut down. The line was restarted in 1985 and has operated on a campaign basis since that time. The fiscal years (FY) 1988/89 RMC line campaigns have shown improved yields and plant safety performance when compared to previous years. This is attributed to numerous process improvements that have been made in the line and to an enhanced standard of disciplined operations. This report discusses the improvements made to the RMC line.