URS Corporation implemented a new solution to keep ground water collected in frac tanks from freezing at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. Located in Niskayuna, NY, the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) is dedicated to the support of the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. KAPL was developed after World War II in 1946 under a contract between General Electric and the United States government. Today, KAPL is a government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory run by Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation for the US Department of Energy. KAPL is responsible for the research, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of U.S. nuclear- powered warships, and manages work on nuclear ships at numerous shipyards across the country.

On January 7, 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded URS Corporation a $67 million task order to deactivate and demolish the Separations Process Research Unit (SPRU) located at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna, New York. The site, used for U.S. atomic weapon reserach, closed in 1953. Part of the operation involves collecting, transferring, and storage of ground water in frac tanks located on-site. URS Corporation realized they needed to keep the ground water in the frac tanks from freezing. They contacted Powerblanket® for a custom solution. Powerblanket’s world-class custom design team accepted the challenge and delivered quickly to have the system in place in time for winter. This solution provided freeze protection, allowing for continuous operation and minimized downtime during the project. URS completed their project on time and on budget thanks to Powerblanket’s custom frac tank heaters.