Edition 18 2015
INSIGHT into nuclear decommissioning
Delivering progress across the UK WASTE MANAGEMENT Contents
2 Sellafield model change Creating the environment 3 Supply chain awards
4-7 Sellafield waste milestones for success at Sellafield 8-10 Researchers share work In March, Insight reported that the model for 11 Last shipment leaves Dounreay managing Sellafield was changing. The new
12 Sludge under pressure ownership arrangements are aimed at achieving
13 Archive moves ahead improved performance and delivering
14-15 Geological disposal focus value for money.
16-17 Asbestos removal complete On 1 April 2016, Sellafield Ltd will 18-20 Magnox demolitions become a NDA subsidiary, replacing the model where Sellafield Ltd is owned 21 Vaults emptied by the private sector (currently Nuclear Management Partners (NMP)). 22 Asset swap scheme savings An NDA owner/Sellafield Ltd operator 23 New life for historic study centre model will create simpler arrangements better suited to Sellafield. The site is 24 Demolition at LLWR the most complex of the NDA estate; its mission to retrieve nuclear waste from some of the world’s oldest nuclear facilities extends beyond 2120. The timescales for some key outcomes are decades away and the sums of money involved are much greater than on other sites.
Pete Lutwyche, NDA’s Sellafield Programme Director said: “A new model can help Sellafield Ltd to do things Front cover: Sellafield team better, quicker and more efficiently. This welcome arrival of new equipment for waste retrieval at the Magnox includes engaging the supply chain Swarf Storage Silo at the right level and contracting out the right type of work. It’s difficult at This will then be tested with private Sellafield to be certain on timescales sector organisations in the supply chain and costs for large site-wide projects later this year. Welcome to the summer 2015 as much of it is inherently uncertain and The decision for change at Sellafield was edition of Insight, our news subject to change. This work is better announced in January 2015. It followed magazine that aims to provide managed in the public sector.” an extensive review by the NDA, which an overview of some current The Sellafield Model Change concluded that the current model developments up and down Programme, made up of NDA and would not give maximum opportunity the estate. Sellafield Ltd personnel, with NMP for accelerating decommissioning and If you have any comments, support, is managing the change in delivering value for money. please contact the editor ownership and creating the optimum Pete Lutwyche said: “Cleaning up Deborah Ward on model for the site. Significant progress Sellafield takes an enormous investment 01925 832280 or has been made on developing the new of public money. We have a [email protected] arrangements including determining how private sector expertise can best be responsibility to ensure that Sellafield used at the site. Sellafield Ltd has talked Ltd has maximum opportunity for to a range of organisations involved in improved performance.” different types of collaborative public/ private sector arrangements to see what @NDAgovuk could work best at Sellafield. This piece Photograph: of work will help Sellafield Ltd to develop Top, NDA’s Sellafield Programme linkedin.com/company/nuclear- a strategy for its procurement of a private Director Pete Lutwyche decommissioning-authority sector partners or partners in the future.
2 Supply Chain Event 2015
Businesses invited to Register now submit entries for awards Meanwhile, registration has opened for delegates Entries are now being invited for the prestigious and exhibitors wishing to NDA Estate Supply Chain Awards 2015 that reserve a place at the main recognise outstanding contributions to the nuclear Supply Chain Event 2015. clean-up mission. Now believed to be the largest event of its kind in Europe, last year saw Launched in 2012, the awards are NDA Estate Export Award around 1,500 visitors enjoying a hugely jointly sponsored by the NDA and Successful export of products successful day of informal networking its Site Licence Companies (SLCs), or services that were originally and presentations by a range of high- with the aim of acknowledging conceived or implemented in the level speakers. the supply chain’s vital role in NDA estate. Under this year’s theme ‘Connect and delivering progress and bringing Innovate’, the speakers will include: innovation to work programmes. The award scheme attracts entries from across the UK and • A senior Government Minister The entry categories have been is part of a series of measures updated for 2015 to bring an to improve the visibility of • NDA Chief Executive John Clarke additional focus on exports and opportunities for suppliers in technology innovation: the decommissioning sector, • Rear Admiral Mike Wareham, particularly for smaller businesses. Director of Submarines, Ministry Supply Chain Collaboration of Defence Making a difference by The winners will be announced collaborating with other suppliers during the NDA Estate Supply A highlight in the exhibition hall or organisations. Chain Event at EventCity, will be the central Innovation Zone, Manchester, on 4 November 2015, where a range of technologies will Technology/Innovation where the awards ceremony will be be demonstrated. Implementation with an SLC a key highlight of the day. Open to suppliers at all levels, Visitors will have opportunities to this new category is intended to An awards stand, meanwhile, will meet buyers and sellers from around recognise technical innovations also showcase the winning entries the NDA Estate and other that have been developed and and those shortlisted by Government departments. subsequently deployed on a site, the judges. Entry to the event is free of charge for following close engagement with delegates and exhibitors, however, an SLC. The deadline for submissions is 11 September 2015. optional lighting and electrical SME Innovation equipment for stands will be subject to Bringing innovation to a project For further information: a small cost. www.decommsupplyevent.co.uk through technology, processes Register now, enter the awards or systems. or find out more at: Photograph: www.decommsupplyevent.co.uk Top, the winners will be announced in November INSIGHT EDITION 18 3 Integrated waste management
Getting ready to scoop out waste The arrival of a custom-built machine to scoop the radioactive contents from one of Sellafield’s most hazardous buildings marks a huge step forward for site decommissioning.
The Silo Emptying Plant (SEP) will into the 16-metre-deep compartments to grabbing huge volumes of potentially painstakingly remove waste from the bring up the waste, pack it into nuclear hazardous material, which is stored Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS), an boxes and transfer it to one of the site’s under water, with absolute precision and ageing storage plant and priority clean- modern stores where it will be kept transferring it into safe storage, with no up project. safe and secure before it is consigned room for error.” to the Geological Disposal Facility for In the coming months, 33 deliveries will The SEP machines will operate in a final disposal. Among the plants which bring the bespoke plant by road from heavily shielded environment where will take waste from MSSS is the Box Wolverhampton to Sellafield where it radiation levels restrict workforce access. Encapsulation Plant, which is currently will be re-assembled. The SEP2 is the Because of this, the machines will need under construction by a joint venture first of three plants that will remove to work first time and continually for up comprising contractors Jacobs, Amec the decades-old material, significantly to 25 years - equivalent to some 90,000 and Balfour Beatty. reducing the risk and hazard on the site. waste retrieval cycles, without any Alan Haile, Head of MSSS Projects, internal modifications or upgrades. The SEP machine, which will run on rails said: “Think of one of those fairground above the waste compartments, has The three plants are being developed machines with a metal arm that grabs been developed specifically to deal with in conjunction with Ansaldo NES, who soft toys, but imagine it on a huge historic MSSS waste. It will lock onto successfully tested and dismantled the scale within a radioactive environment, the silo hatches, lower specialist grabs first SEP inside a replica of the MSSS 4 Fact File
• The Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) was built to store fuel cladding, known as swarf, that was removed from Magnox fuel to prepare it for reprocessing. • The facility became operational in 1964 for the underwater storage of swarf waste. • The original MSSS was extended in the 1970s and 1980s providing 22 individual compartments within the silo. • MSSS received swarf from the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) and the Fuel Handling Plant (FHP) along with other metal items of intermediate level waste. • In 1992, FHP swarf store at their factory. Each weighs more The SEP machines will play a vital part in was then routed to the than 30 double-decker buses and will be the clean-up, with an estimated 10,000 Magnox Encapsulation re-assembled and re-tested at Sellafield cubic metres of historic waste, including before retrievals begin. 60,000 items, to be removed from the 22 Plant (MEP) where it was compartments. SEP1 and SEP3 are also encapsulated into drums. Mr Haile added: “The SEP capability being built and the plan is to bring them The final waste was has evolved to deal with changes in our to Sellafield with the final machine SEP3 technical understanding of the material tipped in June 2000. available in 2023. within MSSS. We really have come up with a custom-built engineering solution, Photographs: basically a whole nuclear waste plant Above left, NDA’s Alyson Armett, Head of on rails, developed for the unique Programme (Sellafield) Delivery discusses challenges posed by the legacy waste plans with Janette Brown in the Box in MSSS, which is a very complex and Encapsulation Plant. ageing facility. We’ve even got additional Above, the custom-built machine arrives Contractor: specialist tooling capability to handle at Sellafield. Ansaldo NES both known and anticipated waste items, so we’re prepared for all eventualities.”
“Think of one of those fairground machines with a metal arm that grabs soft toys, but imagine it on a huge scale within a radioactive environment.” Alan Haile, Head of MSSS Projects INSIGHT EDITION 18 5 Integrated waste management
First sludge removal marks historic step The very first radioactive sludge has been removed from one of Sellafield’s oldest and most hazardous fuel storage ponds, marking a historic achievement in the UK’s nuclear decommissioning programme.
The First Generation Magnox Storage Pond tested pump to a new £240 million state- “We transfer the sludge in batches to the (FGMSP), which dates back to the 1950s, of-the-art sludge storage plant containing new plant where it settles in one of the needs to be emptied of 1,500 cubic metres three enormous stainless steel buffer buffer storage tanks and then the top layer of radioactive sludge – equivalent to around storage vessels, each of which is the same of water is sent back to the pond. It will take half an Olympic swimming pool. volume as seven double-decker buses,” several months of work to transfer enough Head of the FGMSP Martin Leafe said. sludge to fully test and commission the The material was pumped via a pipe- sludge plant and in parallel we’ll install the bridge from the First Generation Magnox “The pond is six metres deep and we’ve bulk sludge removal equipment.” Storage Pond to a new store – the Sludge spent years devising an engineering Packaging Plant (SPP1). Around 1,500 solution to literally suck up the radioactive Pete Lutwyche, the NDA’s Sellafield cubic metres of sludge need to be removed. sludge from the bottom of the pond, which Programme Director, said: “We are now in places is over one metre deep. seeing the removal of decades-old material The 1950s pond and was built to store, cool from Sellafield’s legacy ponds on a daily and prepare used Magnox fuel for recycling “What makes the job more difficult is that basis, significantly reducing the risk at these into new fuel. the pond is very congested and full of large historic facilities.” metal boxes containing nuclear fuel, so we Despite thick walls of reinforced concrete, it need to work around these and ensure they has no roof and is open to the elements, so remain fully submerged at all times. Just Photograph: sludge has accumulated over the years, just to make matters more difficult we have to Above, sludge is removed for the first time like any garden pond, but highly radioactive. drive the platform remotely from a control “We’re making history at Sellafield by cabin to minimise the radiation dose to the transferring the first sludge using a tried and workforce.
6 Solution £100 million boxes boost • Two solutions have been devised - a suite of bulk for manufacturers sludge-removal equipment to be deployed next year The UK manufacturing sector is set to receive and a small-scale specialist centrifugal pump that has just a £100 million boost thanks to a major contract been sent to the pond depths award at Sellafield. to lift the first sludge. • This pump is fitted to the underside of a large floating platform which has four thrusters to propel it around. • The platform is driven remotely from a control cabin to minimise the radiation dose to the workforce. The pump is fitted with a long ‘hoover hose’ and can be remotely raised or lowered to suck up the sludge and mix it with water, resulting in a slurry which can be pumped to the new sludge plant. The site has chosen two UK-based decommissioning of our estate and this • The technology has already suppliers – Darchem and Metalcraft - to is a great example of that. manufacture thousands of stainless been used at European “Most importantly, Sellafield Ltd has steel containers to store nuclear waste. reactor stations, and had secured a value-for-money supply of been adapted for Sellafield’s Darchem, based in Stockton-on-Tees, high-quality product that will underpin needs before rigorous testing is an established supplier to the UK one of the most important programmes in a full-scale test facility in nuclear industry while Metalcraft, an in the decommissioning of Sellafield.” Cumbria. SME, is a new entrant. Paul Foster, Sellafield Ltd Managing Under the contract, which is worth up to Director, said: “This announcement • During the FGMSP’s 26- £100 million, the two firms will produce demonstrates our total commitment year operating lifetime, 2,200 boxes to store waste retrieved to ensuring value for money for the approximately 27,000 tonnes from the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo – a UK taxpayer, whilst underpinning a of fuel (almost 2.5 million fuel 1950s waste storage building prioritised relentless drive for risk and hazard rods) were processed. Spent for clean-up by the NDA. reduction at Sellafield. nuclear fuel from the UK’s nine Magnox stations, along This is the first contract let by Sellafield “The success of this procurement is with Magnox fuel from Italy which includes socio-economic not in doubt – it has delivered a and Japan was held in the commitments to be written into the competitive solution which offers value FGMSP. contract. This will see both companies to the taxpayer, and supports UK create new jobs and apprenticeships business, SMEs and businesses in a • The pond holds 14,000 cubic linked to the work. deprived area.” metres of contaminated water, in which is stored Geoff Suitor, NDA's Head of Contracts Darchem and Metacraft will Magnox spent fuel, said: “It was clear from the outset that manufacture in total some 2,200 radioactive sludges, this contract provided opportunities for three-metre cubed boxes subject miscellaneous nuclear wastes growth in the UK manufacturing sector. to performance. and skips. “The NDA asked Sellafield Ltd to Retrieving waste from the silo in the consider this during the procurement earliest possible timeframes, is an process and I’m delighted that the integral part of the long-term plan to winners are both UK businesses, one reduce the hazard on Europe’s most an SME and one based in area requiring complex nuclear site. economic development. Contractors: Westinghouse, EnergySolutions, “It’s important that we seek to maximise Photograph: Forth Engineering the economic growth potential of Top, the boxes will store PFCS waste
the £3 billion a year we invest in the INSIGHT EDITION 18 7 Spotlight on Research and Development
spotlight on R&D
Research is distinctively different More than 30 research students working on a unique four-year nuclear programme gathered in Sheffield to discuss their work, share progress and exchange ideas.
The PhD and post-doctoral Engineering and Physical Sciences of the DISTINCTIVE consortium and the researchers from universities in the Research Council (EPSRC). wider nuclear decommissioning supply DISTINCTIVE consortium (taken from chain. The students designed posters to The DISTINCTIVE programme was Decommissioning, Immobilisation and display at the event, outlining progress launched last year to help develop the Storage Solutions for Nuclear Waste achieved over the year, and gave a series next generation of nuclear experts, Inventories) are working with industrial of presentations. Delegates were invited while encouraging greater collaboration advisors and academics on research into to vote for the Best Poster and Best between multi-disciplinary university themes relevant to decommissioning the Oral Presentation. research projects and industry. nuclear legacy. NDA Research Manager Dr Rick Short The researchers are liaising closely with The 100-plus delegates at the awarded the poster prize to Conrad industrial supervisors from Sellafield consortium’s first annual conference Johnston, Queen’s University Belfast, and Ltd and NNL to make sure their work included leading academics, industry the oral presentation prize to Stephanie addresses relevant issues. representatives, regulators and Thornber, University of Sheffield. international organisations. Sponsors of The Sheffield event provided an Keynote speakers during the day the one-day event and the programme opportunity for all those involved to get included internationally renowned were the NDA, Sellafield Ltd, National together to share their initial research nuclear specialists Prof Eric McFarland Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and the results and network with other members from the University of Queensland, 8 What it's all about DISTINCTIVE is led by the University of Leeds and includes:
• Lancaster University • University of Birmingham • University of Bristol • Loughborough University • Imperial College London • University College London • University of Manchester • University of Sheffield • University of Strathclyde
Queens University, Belfast, has also now joined the consortium, supported by both internal and NDA funding.
The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), NDA and Sellafield Ltd collaborated with the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to initiate the £multi-million programme, which was launched last year. The collaboration with EPSRC enables NDA and Sellafield Ltd to leverage their funding and also support for the scheme, through the provision of in-kind assistance such as technical supervision or access Australia, and Prof Ian Pegg from the Prof Michael Fairweather, from Leeds to facilities. Catholic University of America. University’s Institute of Particle Science Four technical themes were identified and Engineering, said: "It was great Rick added: “The industry derives for research: to see so many supporters of the huge benefits from focussed academic DISTINCTIVE consortium and was very • AGR, Magnox and Exotic Spent research that is directed specifically encouraging to see some new faces. Fuel at some of the challenges we face in We look forward to seeing everyone • Plutonium Oxide and Fuel dealing with our nuclear legacy. We very in Bristol next year for the 2nd Annual Residues much welcome this kind of collaboration Meeting!” • Legacy Ponds and Silos Wastes and look forward to seeing these • Structural Integrity projects progress." DISTINCTIVE follows the success of “It is essential that the students Photograph: a similar four-year programme, known understand the context for their work Opposite page, Dr Claire Corkhill and as DIAMOND (from decommissioning, and how it could be applied on the NDA sponsored PhD researcher Luke immobilisation and management ground. We look forward to seeing their Boast, both from the University of of nuclear wastes for disposal) that expertise develop and hope their skills Sheffield, discuss one of the posters. concluded in 2013. will contribute to decommissioning Top, a presentation and, above, Dr Short, progress in the years ahead.” left, with winners Conrad Johnston and www.distinctiveconsortium.org Stephanie Thornber
More on DISTINCTIVE: page 6 “The event encouraged a significant amount of engagement between industry experts and our researchers.”
Prof Michael Fairweather INSIGHT EDITION 18 9 Spotlight on Research and Development
Expertise for the future
One of the primary drivers for NDA sponsorship of PhD-level research is to maintain the key skills and capability required for the decommissioning mission over the coming decades.
Programmes like DISTINCTIVE ensure that Andrea Paulillo (UCL), who is applying Andrew Kerridge, a post-doctoral the academic experts are kept abreast of a Life Cycle Assessment approach to researcher who is now lecturing at the latest challenges facing the nuclear assess the environmental impact of the Lancaster University, helping to train decommissioning community, and that a nuclear waste management process in the next generation of NDA-funded PhD new generation of experts are trained to the UK. researchers. take up technical positions in the industry or academic positions in the UK. These kinds of projects promote two-way Amy Young, who investigated knowledge transfer between academia and radionuclide behaviour in cement Examples of DISTINCTIVE work include: industry, giving students good grounding superplasticiser at Loughborough and in the existing challenges and potentially is now working for Radioactive Waste Stephanie Thornber (University of influencing future industry decisions. Management Limited (RWM). Sheffield), an NDA-sponsored student who is investigating the use of a waste Previous NDA investments in the earlier immobilisation technique that could programme, DIAMOND, also focused Photograph: potentially inform strategic decisions on on the development of skills and Above, DISTINCTIVE researchers in how to deal with plutonium residues. capabilities. Examples include: Sheffield earlier this year
Understanding radioactive waste The NDA has published a document that the UK’s civil nuclear legacy, including the The second part is a series of fact sheets explains how radioactive waste Magnox power reactors, various research with greater levels of detail. is produced. and fuel facilities and the UK's largest, The document is available via most complex site, Sellafield. Understanding Activities that Produce www.nda.gov.uk/ukinventory. Radioactive Wastes in the UK aims to Beth Ripper, NDA National Waste Feedback on the new document is provide clear explanations for general Inventory Manager, said: “This document welcome. Email: [email protected] readers and those who would like to learn provides an overview of how radioactive The UK Radioactive Waste Inventory more about where radioactive waste wastes are produced across the UK. website provides further information comes from. We hope it will be helpful to people who about the types and quantities of are new to the nuclear sector, or have a Radioactive waste is a by-product from a radioactive waste in the UK. The website general interest in the topic.” wide range of activities including power was updated last year to improve the generation, medicine, research, defence The first part of the document provides an layout and content for a non-technical and industrial processes. introduction to radioactivity, an overview audience. of activities that produce radioactive The NDA is responsible for managing waste and how it is managed. waste generated through the clean-up of
10 Nuclear materials
All gone: last shipment leaves site Dounreay has completed the transfer of 11 tonnes of irradiated nuclear material to Sellafield.
The material is a legacy of the site’s fast of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd with scheduled to be transported to Sellafield. reactor programme, consisting of natural Sellafield Ltd, Direct Rail Services Ltd, flask Purpose-built retrieval equipment has been uranium rods that were irradiated to breed supplier Magnox Ltd, the Civil Nuclear installed above the reactor and is now new plutonium fuel for power stations. Constabulary, Police Scotland, British undergoing a series of tests. Transport Police and regulatory bodies. Known as “breeder”, 11 tonnes of the Work is also continuing in preparation for material were removed from the Dounreay “Together, we have delivered safely the transfer of other types of nuclear fuel Fast Reactor (DFR) after its closure in 1977 and without harm to the public or the and material that had accumulated at the and stored at the site. environment the first phase of the NDA’s site when its research and development programme to consolidate its inventory of In 2011, after canvassing the views of the role ended in 1994. nuclear fuel and materials in the UK,” public on a range of options, the decision he said. The UK Government’s decision to was taken by the UK Government to remove its nuclear fuel and material from remove it from Dounreay and process at “It significantly reduces the amount of Dounreay has resulted in a rescheduling Sellafield. nuclear material at Dounreay and takes us of some other decommissioning work another step closer towards the closure of The first of 32 shipments left the site by to accommodate the additional costs the site.” road and rail in December 2012. The final associated with transport, with a new date shipment arrived at Sellafield in May, where The NDA inherited approximately 100 of 2030 now projected for completion of it is being reprocessed. tonnes of nuclear fuel and material which is the site clean-up and closure. now being returned to national stocks. Alex Potts, Deputy Director of Fuels at Dounreay, said the smooth transfer was A further 33 tonnes of breeder material Photograph: made possible by the close working remains inside the DFR and is also Dounreay staff mark the last shipment 11 Integrated waste management
Sludge under pressure in clean-up
A remotely operated water cannon will wash out sludge from a tunnel section of Dounreay’s shaft and silo complex, following a series of trials to test the novel approach.
Clean-up of the shaft and silo requires The arms on the Shaft Intervention The process has now been adopted as the removal of 1,500 tonnes of toxic Platform (SIP) can reach several metres the baseline approach for cleaning out the waste and is the world’s deepest nuclear into the stub tunnel and remove large stub tunnel. clean-up. The 65-metre shaft connects items of waste that may be present. to a tunnel for the discharge of low-active The latest trials demonstrated that the radioactive effluent, with a shorter stub water cannon can successfully wash out Photograph: tunnel connecting the two. remaining waste. Results of the trials, before, during and after One of the partners in the project, a Several different forms of replica remote handling specialist, used a set “sludge” were created, using a variety of of telescopic mechanical arms attached constituents including clay, to provide the Contractor: to a platform for deployment of the best approximation to on-site conditions. Oxford Technologies Ltd high-pressure cannon during tests at its Oxfordshire facility.
Professional scheme endorsed
Dounreay’s development scheme for Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) of the Technical Directorate, himself a engineers and physicists has been will start to register its trainees Fellow of IMech, supported by a team formally accredited by three of the UK’s immediately while awaiting formal from HR and in-house mentors who professional training bodies. notification which will follow within a few trained last year and have been operating months. It is the first time in 20 years for several months. The endorsement is part of the that the site’s development scheme has site’s mission to be recognised for David Smillie, Technical Director, received national recognition. decommissioning excellence and follows congratulated the DSRL team and said: a visit last month by representatives Dounreay is now able to develop “We are now in a position to produce from the Institute of Physics (IOP), the suitably qualified engineers and a stream of professional engineers Institution of Mechanical Engineers physicists to Chartered or Incorporated focused on the Dounreay site, on (IMechE) and the Institution of status, in line with the UK Standard for our restoration mission and on our Engineering and Technology (IET), who Professional Engineering Competence. customer. Given the highly technical completed a joint review the Professional nature of much of the work we have This process of accreditation has been Development Scheme. to do, this is essential for the safe and led for more than a year by Billy Husband efficient decommissioning of the site."
12 Information management
When the NDA was established in 2005, it inherited assets from across the estate, including valuable information accrued over many decades and held in a multitude of formats at numerous locations. The archive is part of a major programme to sift through and organise all the information in the NDA estate, then securely store and safeguard it for future generations. As a Government body, the NDA is responsible for ensuring the material is preserved and made Archive specialist named available in line with legislation and regulations for new facility on public information. ‘Information’ covers a The development of the NDA’s nuclear archive wide range of material, in northern Scotland took another step forward ranging from archived with the selection of a contractor to manage the operational records and plant designs to graphics, historic information from sites around the UK. photographs, publications, Document management specialist Crimson Chair of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, digital records, patents, was named as the preferred bidder David Flear, said: “I’m very pleased that the research documents, etc. following a competitive procurement Commercial Partner has been appointed process over several months. and look forward to working with Crimson As well as being kept on as they roll out their public engagement Dingwall-based Crimson, which also has sites, in buildings that and socio-economic programme. The offices in Lancashire, will be responsible mostly face demolition, Dounreay Stakeholder Group has been for transporting 70 years’ worth of material involved with the NDA on this project for the material is stored to the facility, as well as setting up the some time now and we are very pleased to under contract at a archiving arrangements and ongoing see everything we hoped for appears to be number of off-site storage. coming to fruition.” locations. Sellafield alone Records from all UK civil nuclear sites Building work is due to start in July holds more than 80,000 will be relocated in the new archive, following completion of a detailed two- boxes of archived records with documents expected to fill many month design and cost review by kilometres of shelf space. in storage. Morrison Construction, who were Crimson will be responsible for appointed in March. A single facility for ensuring the information is available The archive is a priority project for records from all the to support both research work, future the Caithness & North Sutherland UK’s civil nuclear sites nuclear decommissioning and general Regeneration Partnership and part of enables consistent long- public interest. the NDA’s contribution to sustainable term management, best In a partnering arrangement with Highland economic development in the region. archiving practice and Council, part of the building will also store Photograph: better value. the Caithness Archive, which is currently An artist's impression of the new archive held elsewhere. The land, near Wick
Airport, was provided by the Council. INSIGHT EDITION 18 13 Geolofical Disposal Facility
Underground lab yields microscopic detail
By Rob McLaverty As my first eight-month secondment on the nucleargraduates programme draws to a close, I have had a chance to look back on my time with RWM and begin to look to the future and my next secondment.
Since starting in October, I have been The CFM experiment aims to better some funding by the European Atomic involved in some really interesting understand how colloids (microscopic Agency Community to visit the Äspö URL activities, including the National particles) form and migrate if the in Sweden to look at other experiments Geological Screening Exercise, visiting bentonite backfill erodes, and how these of this nature. underground facilities and even playing colloids may have an impact on the Another highlight of my time at RWM for the Radioactive Waste Management movement of radionuclides away from an was the chance to work on the National Limited (RWM) football team, The Diggers! engineered barrier system. Geological Screening Exercise. Working One highlight was a visit to the Grimsel Getting underground to see a large-scale on such an important project was a great Test Site underground research experiment such as this taking place in a privilege and I have greatly enjoyed being laboratory (URL) in Switzerland, where I URL was really exciting, and seeing the part of the discussions that went into was observing the progress made on the setup and environment in which these formulating the Screening Guidance. Colloid Formation and Migration (CFM) experiments take place is very useful to I will follow developments with interest. experiment with a group of scientists put the work done back at Harwell into I have now moved to my next from Birmingham University. context. Since then, I have been granted secondment on the nucleargraduate
14 Rob McLaverty RWM needs your help! studied geology By Natalyn Ala, at Southampton GDF Siting Director, Radioactive Waste Management University and is undergoing a The launch of a public consultation by two-year training Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) later programme as part this year is part of our getting ready to engage of the award-winning with communities about geological disposal.
nucleargraduates Last year’s White Paper, Implementing scheme launched by Geological Disposal, set out several Initial Actions to be completed prior the NDA in 2008. to talking with local communities in Now administered 2017. Those discussions will begin the process of identifying a suitable site for by Energus, the a geological disposal facility (GDF) with scheme has 20 communities who may be interested in hosting it in their areas. partners in the public In the past, public consultation has and private sector. shown a desire for early consideration of geology as a crucial step in building Here, Rob reflects public understanding of geological disposal. So the Government has on his six-month asked RWM to carry out a National experience with RWM. Geological Screening exercise covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This will bring together existing geological information that is relevant to the environmental safety case for a GDF. There are two stages:
• Identifying those geological attributes which contribute to the Underground lab yields microscopic detail safety case, presenting them as screening guidance. By Rob McLaverty • Applying the guidance by preparing Wales and Northern Ireland. Screening outputs which will consist of short is not designed to rule areas ‘in’ or scheme in the Department of Energy and narratives and maps. ‘out’, nor to identify particular sites Climate Change in London. for a GDF. Rather, it will assist those The draft guidance has been communities who may be interested in I will be staying with geological disposal, developed by RWM with the help of hosting a GDF in their area when the working with their GDF team on the geological experts and has then been formal engagement and siting process policy side of delivering the GDF - I assessed by an Independent Review begins in 2017. find the social and political aspects of Panel, established by the Geological delivering a GDF just as engaging as the Society of London at the request of We hope that the NDA Estate and the geological aspects. From the short time DECC. The public will be consulted on many other organisations involved in I have spent here, I am confident that the resulting draft guidance. the nuclear industry will contribute RWM will continue to evolve and meet insights and comments during the Once consultation feedback has the challenges ahead to successfully consultation. We will tell you more been reviewed, RWM will issue implement geological disposal. I have about how to take part later in the year. final guidance. This will then be greatly enjoyed my time and hope I will implemented with the help of the remain involved in the GDF delivery British Geological Survey, who hold beyond my two-year graduate scheme. Photograph: much of the available geological data, Photograph: providing high-level and authoritative Above, Natalyn Ala is RWM’s Siting information for 13 regions of England, Director Above, Rob, left on back row, in the underground Swiss lab INSIGHT EDITION 18 15 Site restoration
Finished: Europe’s largest- known asbestos strip The asbestos strip at Chapelcross, believed to be the largest in Europe, has been completed one year ahead of schedule and £5 million under budget.
Since the project began eight years ago, Polythene enclosures ensured that staff 3,300 tonnes of asbestos have been were protected from any exposure during removed from the turbine hall, four reactor asbestos removal operations and that buildings and 16 heat exchangers. More fibres were safely contained. than one million bags of asbestos waste Once the bulk asbestos was removed, (equivalent to filling four Olympic-sized the steelwork was fine-cleaned and taken swimming pools) were despatched to back to bare metal before being washed licensed landfill sites. down. The fibre levels inside and adjacent The original estimate for the project, to the enclosure were monitored by a completed in March, was £43 million team of independent asbestos analysts against an actual cost of £38 million. from Environmental Evaluation.
Site Director John Grierson said: Brian Burnett, Head of Programmes “This is a tremendous achievement at the NDA, said: “This completes an for Chapelcross and contractor OCS important hazard reduction activity Environmental Services; the safe, early for the site and a key step on the path and cost-efficient delivery is testament to to care and maintenance. I commend the quality of the personnel working on Chapelcross and Magnox on completing the project.” this project.”
Before any material could be removed, a containment structure was erected Photograph: around each of the 16 heat exchangers Above, cladding was installed round over a two-year period, supporting the 16 heat exchangers, and, right, staff asbestos enclosures and providing endured physically demanding conditions weather protection.
The containment, required 506,246 feet of steel scaffolding, 194,576 fittings, 276 ladders, 48.84 tonnes of steel strengthening and 24,000 square metres of Powerclad sheeting. The scaffolding Contractor: boards, if placed end to end, would have OCS Environmental Services stretched from Manchester to Bristol. 16 Challenges
• Largest-known asbestos removal project in Europe, second largest in the world.
• Ensuring a safe working environment for the workforce.
• Protecting the surrounding environment by ensuring all the asbestos was contained.
• Physically demanding work for long periods of time where radiation dose rates were present.
• Working in temperatures varying from minus 13 degrees centigrade to 28 degrees centigrade.
• Characterisation of bulk asbestos waste carried out for the first time, resulting in no waste sent to Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) at Drigg – licensed landfill sites used instead. INSIGHT EDITION 18 17 Site restoration
18 Turbine hall bites the dust The final section of the Dungeness A turbine hall has come crashing down as a three-year programme to clear the south side of the former power station draws to a close.
Members of the team gathered to see 40 years of safe electricity generation, The focus now turns to other areas of the the last pieces of framework fall to the this latest success demonstrates that site, which is operated by Magnox Ltd. ground in a dramatic ending to the Magnox is now leading the way in UK One of the next activities will be to begin project which has seen more than 30,000 nuclear decommissioning.” draining the cooling pond which stored tonnes of waste generated. used fuel until it was removed from Thousands of viewers visited the Magnox the site. The last fuel shipment left for All the material, other than a small website in recent months to see progress reprocessing at Sellafield in 2012. amount of hazardous material including broadcast live on a webcam. asbestos, has been recycled and some NDA Chief Financial Officer David rubble was re-used to backfill other areas Batters said: “More than £12 million Photographs: on the site. This helped keep disruption was invested to deliver this work in on local roads to a minimum. Left, the land is cleared. Above, the team three years rather than the original gather to see the last frames fall Site Director Paul Wilkinson said: “The 15 years that was planned. It is an skyline now looks very different at excellent example of accelerated Dungeness A with this representing the decommissioning delivering value for the biggest visible change since construction taxpayer while taking the site closer to its was completed in the 1960s. Following closure point.” INSIGHT EDITION 18 19 Site restoration
New structure Admin reduced to zero Magnox has announced Bradwell’s administration building has been reduced plans for a new to rubble in another major step towards the closure organisational structure that will reduce of the former power station. workforce numbers at its 12 sites by 1,400-1,600 over the next 17 months.
The re-organisation will ensure the appropriate level of resources to deliver the decommissioning programme on behalf of the NDA, and follows the re-licensing of Research Sites Restoration Ltd (RSRL), the former Site Licence Company (SLC) for Harwell and Winfrith sites, into Magnox Ltd on 1 April 2015.
Staff numbers at the sites have been declining for a number of years as progress is made on the decommissioning programmes.
The NDA has been assured that efforts will be undertaken to mitigate the impact of job losses through voluntary redundancy, re-skilling and potential alternative employment in Magnox Ltd’s parent companies, Cavendish Nuclear and Fluor Corporation.
The restructure follows the NDA’s appointment last September of the Cavendish Fluor Partnership as the new Parent Body Organisation (PBO) From the 1950s onwards, the building 46 tonnes of asbestos which had to for Magnox Ltd and RSRL. served as a base for thousands of staff be carefully removed and sent to an The appointment followed a two-year developing their careers, through the appropriate facility for disposal. competitive procurement process latter stages of construction, 40 years Scott added: "While it is just one launched in 2012, with the primary of generation and a decade building, the majority of our team hold aim of delivering a more efficient, of decommissioning. personal memories of their time working effective programme within agreed More than 1,200 tonnes of waste there, so it is one of those projects that funding levels. were created during demolition, with has been particularly special to watch Two of the sites are scheduled to enter 80 per cent of the spoil used to backfill for many." the passive Care and Maintenance a hole in the ground created when phase within the next few years, the site’s cooling water pumphouse Photograph: followed by the others. This will leave was removed earlier in the only sealed reactor buildings and decommissioning programme. The walls come down waste stores for a number of decades Site Director Scott Raish said: before final clean-up. "By re-using the material at Bradwell, we kept more than 50 lorries away from local roads and ensured we delivered the best value for the taxpayer."
Demolition of the building, whose canteen saw more than two million hot meals served during its lifetime, was made more complicated by more than
20 Asset management
Vaults emptied of waste The Bradwell workforce has completed the retrieval of all bulk fuel element debris (FED) from its vaults in a significant step towards dealing with the site’s legacy waste.
More than 200 tonnes of FED were and cost savings. This included simple Fact file: retrieved over a three-year programme additions such as drum spacers allowing that saw the waste packaged into 2,900 filtered drums to be double stacked and • 204 tonnes of waste retrieved drums ready for processing. saving £300 per drum stored. • 2,900 drums packaged for Scott Raish, Site Director, said: “Our Shaun Birkett, FED and Intermediate processing goal at Bradwell is to reduce the risk Level Waste Programme Manager, • The team worked 12-hour and associated hazard. Completing added: “This is a huge achievement shifts, seven days a week the retrieval of FED significantly lowers for the site and for the wider the risk as; we now have clarity about decommissioning programme. This • Zero lost-time accidents the volume of waste that needs to be exceptional team has moved us closer processed, it is safely packaged in to our ultimate goal and I must thank • FED consists largely of metallic modern fit-for-purpose drums and we everyone involved for safely and components such as splitter can properly monitor and inspect it successfully completing the work. They blades, coupling wire, springs ahead of processing.” owned the process and came up with and lugs which were removed safety initiatives, dose-saving ideas and from casing of the fuel The work was undertaken by an in-house cost and programme-saving measures elements before the spent fuel team which was originally established throughout the programme.” was sent for reprocessing to retrieve a limited number of drums for characterisation purposes. The All 12 FED vaults have now been handed scope evolved, learning lessons from over to the Ponds Programme team for Photograph: experience at Dungeness, to the point decontamination and clean-up, with Above, a FED drum is moved ready for where the simplicity and flexibility of eight already decontaminated. reprocessing the process generated significant time INSIGHT EDITION 18 21 Integrated waste management
Re-using and 17 recycling sites across NDA’s post and seek redundant estate assets
Online £15 Asset million Transfer savings (approx) so far Database
over 8 years usage has increased
Equipment swap saves £millions NDA sites have saved around £15 million by using an online database to recycle and re-use redundant equipment.
Among the items transferred from one Martin Grey, the NDA’s Engineering usual disposal processes, which prioritise site to another are pumps, cranes, forklift Manager (Assurance), said: “One site has the most cost-effective options. trucks, tractors, blocks of lead, boilers, accumulated £1.9 million of benefits in the One of the larger exchanges was radiation detectors, breathing apparatus, first few months of 2015 by avoiding the Dounreay’s super-compactor, which was office equipment, robotic equipment, a costs of buying new equipment, and by acquired brand new from AWE where it snow plough – and more. transferring surplus kit to other sites. was surplus to requirements and is now The NDA Asset Transfer Scheme (NATS) “Another site acquired 50 tonnes of lead in use to crush drums of Low Level Waste was launched by the NDA eight years that will be used for shielding. These (LLW). The drums will disposed of in the ago for sites to advertise unwanted items, kinds of transactions are taking place site’s new LLW vaults. The site’s own or seek redundant equipment from across the estate regularly. They deliver machine suffered a major mechanical other sites. huge all-round benefits not just in cost failure in 2011 and a backlog of 11,000 terms but also in encouraging a more drums built up before the replacement Many items are in good condition but no sustainable approach to asset use.” was found. longer needed as a site makes progress in decommissioning. Other sites can use The principle of recycling assets across The latest version of the Asset Transfer the equipment, however, if they are at a the estate has now been enshrined in Scheme is being extended to include different stage in their programmes or SLC contract specifications. Before transport assets for NDA subsidiary INS. undertaking similar projects. buying new, procurement teams seek to acquire goods from other sites first. NATS is available to all Site Licence On-the-ground teams, meanwhile, Companies with the aim of reducing costs advertise redundant equipment for a and waste. specified period, before following their
22 New life for historic research centre The UK’s oldest marine research centre has re-opened after the NDA joined new funding partners to ensure its long-term future.
The NDA’s £300,000 award, via the Scottish Government and Highlands and mitigate against the impact on the North Magnox Socio-Economic Scheme, is Islands Enterprise. Ayrshire economy when our nearby part of a £4 million package for Millport Hunterston ‘A’ site is decommissioned. To complete the project, work has started Field Centre, on the small island of The NDA is delighted to help fund this on Phase Two, costing £1 million and Cumbrae, North Ayrshire, which lies project which will provide long-term involving a new aquarium together with just across the water from the NDA’s sustainability for Millport Field Centre.” further improvements to teaching facilities. decommissioning site Hunterston A. The centre offers fieldwork experiences Rob Lucas, FSC Chief Executive, said: The earlier loss of grant funding had for all ages and research facilities “The generous support of £300,000 from led to closure, in 2013, of the historic for universities and environmental the Magnox Socio-Economic Scheme facility which was established in the 19th professionals. FSC Millport opened for has been instrumental in securing the century after a floating laboratory moored field teaching in February 2014. long-term future of the former Marine at the island and attracted a stream of Biological Station at Millport. The island’s Field Studies Council, FSC, is an distinguished scientists. Its museum and fragile economy was badly impacted by environmental education charity aquarium attracted many visitors. the closure of the station and the support providing opportunities for people of all An independent charity, the Field Study from NDA to Phase Two will secure long- ages and abilities to discover, explore, Council, stepped in to acquire the site term future employment, bring in new and understand the environment. FSC and a range of partners, including the visitors and allow future generations of relies on fees paid by visitors and on the NDA, is now helping to transform and scientists and the public to expand their generosity of donors, trust funds and expand the Centre, formerly owned by understanding of the environment” grant bodies. the University of London. FSC’s long-term business plan is Earlier this month, a ceremony marked marine science field study, while the Photograph: completion of Phase One, which includes a new aquarium should also attract Above, from the left, the NDA’s Head new accommodation building with 32 twin more visitors to Cumbrae, providing a of Stakeholder Relations Bill Hamilton en-suite rooms, a 150-seat lecture theatre welcome economic boost to the island. with Hunterston A Site Director Martin and teaching laboratory/teaching room. Bill Hamilton, NDA Head of Stakeholder Grafton, FSC Chief Executive Rob Lucas The £3 million Phase One cost was Relations, said: “Supporting and FSC President Prof Tim Burt
funded by North Ayrshire Council, the transformational projects such as this will INSIGHT EDITION 18 23 Site restoration
Demolition paves way for magazines to go A major skyline change is under way at the LLW Repository in Cumbria.
Magazine 4’s Retrieval Facility (MRF), a All remaining magazines on the site near PCM from Sellafield operations was fixture at the site since the 1990s, has Drigg will be demolished, in time, to later stored in some magazines and in been safely demolished, setting the make way for future vaults. the 1990s, retrieval facilities were built template for the future demolition of such to enable the removal, packaging and The soft strip, de-planting and removal facilities on site. transport of the waste for safe storage of the cladding and portal frame is now in modern, purpose-built facilities at MRFs are purpose-built engineered complete for Magazine 4. Sellafield. facilities, constructed to allow the retrieval The first phase of demolition has now of Plutonium Contaminated Materials (PCM) In 2008, LLWR started a programme of been completed, with soil removed from magazines before decommissioning work to decommission the magazines. from the top of the magazine structure, and demolition could begin. erection of an environmental barrier at Carl Smith, PCM Senior Project the magazine entrance and the removal Contractor: Manager, said: “This is the first of five off site of all remaining waste. KDC, under the decommissioning and remaining Magazine Retrieval Facilities All the demolition work has been demolition framework with NSG to be demolished and we have proven recorded by four time-lapse cameras the demolition method for the MRF. located around the demolition site. This will be reviewed as part of the Photograph: post-project review to identify any The magazines, or concrete bunkers, improvements and efficiencies for the were constructed to store munitions such Above, Magazine 4’s retrieval facilities are future demolition phases.” as TNT during World War II, when the site taken apart hosted a Royal Ordnance Factory.
© Nuclear Decommissioning Authority 2015. Some images appear courtesy of site licence companies. Every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of material or images produced or used by the NDA. However, the NDA cannot guarantee that the images shown will always be current, accurate or complete and does not warrant or endorse the accuracy or completeness of the images. 06/15 2k 24