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Projects
Bechtel is working with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Consolidated Nuclear Security to construct the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
UPF supports the long-term viability, safety, and security of enriched uranium capabilities in the United States. This modernization fortifies the country’s nuclear defense, reduces global threats, improves worker safety, and lowers operating and maintenance costs.
UPF will become the key operations center at Y-12, replacing 80-year-old facilities with modern buildings designed and constructed to current safety and security standards.
Building UPF was a national effort, with suppliers from across the United States providing equipment, materials, and services for the project.
At peak, the UPF project supported more than 3,000 jobs on site, making it one of the largest construction projects in Tennessee history.
When complete, UPF will provide a safer, more modern workplace for operators to carry out mission-critical work at the site.
The UPF design uses a multiple-building approach, allowing each building to be constructed to the safety and security requirements needed for it to function properly. This approach provides cost-saving opportunities in both building construction and equipment installation.
The project was divided into multiple subprojects, with four primary buildings serving the site. Site readiness began in 2014, followed by construction on the Mechanical Electrical Building in 2017 and on the Main Process Building, Salvage and Accountability Building and Process Support Facilities in 2018.
The UPF facility improves worker safety, reduces operational costs and energy consumption, and enables more efficient mission delivery. The complex hosts key processes for enriched uranium casting, oxide production, and salvage and accountability operations to support the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, defense nuclear nonproliferation, and naval reactors. Advances in processing provide significant improvements in safety and efficiency of operations and space utilization.
The UPF complex is designed to withstand a range of severe natural phenomena hazards and will be protected by a state-of-the-art Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Assessment System and the highly trained, well-equipped Y-12 security force.
Bechtel’s team at Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) is bringing the lessons we’ve learned over our 127-year history to the execution of the project. Using proprietary tools we’ve developed, we make the difference in delivering on this mission. At UPF, the Bechtel team developed the Evidence Verification System, using machine learning and optimal character recognition to verify every standard and requirement for the design of UPF is met.
Bechtel also brings the knowledge we have from delivering projects for private sector partners around the world. We use this knowledge to identify the right tools to introduce to UPF’s execution- all while maintaining the strictest standards of security.
UPF — one of the largest construction projects in Tennessee’s history — represents a critical investment in modernizing the nation’s nuclear capabilities. The facility replaces aging infrastructure with modern buildings designed and constructed to today’s safety and security standards, improving worker safety while reducing operational costs and energy consumption.
As the future operations center at Y-12, UPF will enable processing capabilities for enriched uranium casting, oxide production, and salvage and accountability operations that support the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, defense nuclear nonproliferation, and naval reactors.
Delivering a Modern, Efficient Facility
UPF is an essential part of NNSA’s effort to modernize the national nuclear security enterprise and strengthen the nation’s long-term enriched uranium capabilities. Bechtel is proud to help deliver a modern, efficient facility that uses proven commercial technologies and advanced engineering to support NNSA’s critical missions, strengthening America’s nuclear deterrent and nonproliferation capabilities.”
UPF Project Manager
