AN INTEGRATED MODELING APPROACH FOR IDENTIFYING PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES TO ADDRESS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

A panel of technical experts is responsible for evaluating over 400 te chnology proposals in order to identify a limited number of the most p romising for potential use in a future plutonium processing facility. A problem-driven, integrated modeling, decision-support framework has been conceptualized to facilitate this decision making effort. This in tegrated approach to planning utilizes a variety of modeling structure s including Flowsheeting, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Linear and Goal Programming, and Object-Oriented Discrete Event Simulation. These mode ls have been instrumental in improving communication among scientists, planners and model builders; increasing understanding of the potentia l for certain plutonium process technologies; providing insights into process technology interrelationships; and promoting a relatively obje ctive basis for recommending further development for a select set of e volving process technologies.