Magnox South News

storageatbradwellAn innovative solution to storing spent fuel ponds skips, skip baskets and liners waiting for dispatch has been utilised at Bradwell.

Around 15 half height ISO (HHISO) containers full of the ponds material are currently being stored on site while it awaits authorisation to send them to America to be melted down and used as a shielding material in the nuclear industry. Due to their levels of activity it was necessary for the HHISOs to be shielded while on site and the idea of using the silt that was removed from the main drains pit earlier in the year was adopted.

Around 140m³ of the silt has been put in industrial bulk containers (IBCs) which have been placed in front of the HHISOs in an area that used to hold some of the transformers next to the turbine hall.
 
This has allowed the site to reduce the amount of material that it would have sent to the UK LLW repository and means that the material will now be recycled and used in another way. If the silt had not been utilised, the site would have had to use alternative means, which are more costly and not as effective as the silt. Once the HHISOs are removed from site, the silt will be further characterised, treated if necessary and disposed of via the appropriate waste route.
 
The materials from the ponds have been placed into the HHISOs in lined heavy duty bags. Dunnage bags (heavy duty bags that are filled with air) have been placed between the skips to stop the them moving around when in transport which ensures the integrity of the ISO is not compromised. The innovation has been recognised on site as an excellent way of saving space, time and money while the material waits to go on the next part of its journey.
 
Karan North, waste manager said: “This project highlights Bradwell’s ability to work as a team and demonstrate the execution of simple yet highly efficient innovative ideas.”