The Ion Beam facility was located in the test area 3 in 1951, a shooting location during the Manhattan project of the Second World War, in the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo with the kind permission of APTIM
The work on deactivation, the decommissioning and removal of the ion beam system in the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo with the kind permission of APTIM
Doe-Emla press release
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-La) has at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (Lanl) with the work for deactivation, deactivation, decommissioning and distance (DD & R) with the ION -Beam facility began. DD&R of the Ion Beam facility is part of DOE EM's mission to remedy excess facilities that result from the production and research of nuclear weapons during the Manhattan project and the era of the Cold War. The DD & R contractor from EM-La, Aptim Federal Services, LLC (APTIM), will manage the project.
As part of the first project work, APTIM mobilized and set up work supporters on site, displayed safety signs and constructed protection fences. The DD&R process includes the removal of contaminants and prioritization of the protection of employees, the local community and the environment.
With the operational control of the ion beam system, APTIM has started to carry out the sampling of the interior to evaluate the potential contamination. APTIM also carries out checks to enable the implementation of proper controls and safety measures while removing materials. The air monitoring confirms that all controls work properly during the DD&R work.
The estimated 60,000 square meter ion beam facility were located in two Van de Graaff accelerators who were among the largest in the world at the time of the construction. The accelerators were some of the most important scientific instruments from Lanl to carry out core experiments. They played an important role in pure physics research and attempts, which in the 1950s and 1960s contributed to developing the nuclear arsenal in America.
APTIM works closely with EM-LA, Triad National Security and the National Nuclear Security Administration Los Alamos Field Office (Na-La) in all areas of the project.
The demolition of the administration wing of the Ion Beam Facility is expected to begin in autumn 2025. EM-LA will provide updates throughout the project that are expected to extend over five years.