Analytical Laboratories
The Savannah River Site’s analytical laboratories have
supported SRS operations for more than 50 years,
providing high quality analytical, radiometric and environmental monitoring data to a range of customers.
Since the mid-1950s, the labs have provided a diverse
array of scientific and technical services in support of
site missions.
The labs perform analyses on a wide range of matrices,
such as soil, water, gases, foodstuffs, decommissioning
debris, waste, and process control samples. The laboratories maintain certifications and qualifications
through a variety of governing bodies, which allows multiple applications of our laboratories services. Over 200,000 samples are processed yearly, producing 500,000 determinations with an error-free rate better than 99.99%.
Laboratory Background
The labs, known as the Analytical Laboratories Project
(ALP), include seven different facilities across SRS,
ranging from low hazard chemical to Category II Nuclear
facilities. The first lab was constructed in 1954 and
consists of 80,000 square feet. It is a blast-resistant
(earthquake/tornado) concrete single-story building with
a full below-ground service floor. The structure meets
Phenomena Hazard Category II criteria. Additional
buildings were constructed in the 1980s, increasing
square footage by another 40,000 square feet.
The laboratories maintain certifications through the
Department of Energy’s Laboratory Accreditation Program
(DOELAP), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), the American Industrial Hygiene Association- laboratory accreditation program, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC), and the Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP).
The laboratories also participate in plutonium and uranium external exchange and evaluation program sponsored
by DOE for assay, isotopic abundance, and impurity measurements.
Current Customers
The labs’ customers include F and H area facilities, the L Area Complex, liquid waste management and disposition
facilities, Tritium, Savannah River National Laboratory, Area Completion Project (which includes deactivation and decommissioning and soil and groundwater remediation), environmental monitoring, industrial hygiene, the bioassay facilities, the Hanford Site, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Nevada National Security Site, and the Idaho National Laboratory, among others.
Analytical Capabilities
SRNS Laboratory Services provides a full complement of analytical services in support of radiochemical processing as well as radiological environmental monitoring programs. Analytical analysis results are used for process control, nuclear safety, criticality prevention, accountability, product quality, regulatory compliance and personnel safety.
