Cost Analysis of Remediation Systems for Depleted Uranium
Abstract
The United States (US) Army and the other services are mandated to comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Recent concerns over potential human exposure to depleted uranium (DU) at US Army test ranges, primarily, have resulted in research into numerous innovative remediation technologies. Developing methods and processes for estimating the life cycle costs (LCC) of implementing these various techniques is important in identifying cost-effective solutions. Total ownership costs (TOC) models were developed for four candidate alternatives using two new technologies; Alternative 1- Physical Separation and Chemical Treatment; Alternative 2- Selective Excavation; Alternative 3- Selective Excavation with Physical Separation and Chemical Treatment; Alternative 4- Containment and Monitoring. The team chose a generic sandy soil site roughly 10 miles square for cost estimates. A bottom up estimate was applied to all alternatives in order to get a baseline cost; Alternative 3 had the best estimate for an efficient and effective remediation method. A cost estimating relationship was generated and simulation-based costing (SBC) was then applied to Alternative 3. Lastly, two alternatives were evaluated for DU remediation of catchboxes. Identifying the key cost drivers from SBC modeling is significant to future investments in research and development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA599275
Entities
People
- Catherine Nestler
- Jarrett Mackey
- John H. Ballard
- John V. Farr
- Joseph Walters
- Kahlan Maki
- Raymond Northcutt
- Steven L. Larson
- William Andy Martin
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center