BPEO OF THE PROCESSING OPTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF COMBUSTIBLE LOW LEVEL WASTE

Client:
British Nuclear Group

Description:
At present, solid LLW produced on the Berkeley site is segregated at source into combustible and non-combustible waste. The combustible waste is incinerated in the shielded area on site and the non-combustible waste is low-force compacted.

The incineration process results in the production of ash and secondary wastes including spent HEPA filters, aqueous effluent from the scrubber plant and spent filter aid used to remove soot particles from the liquid effluent. Low-force compaction of non-combustible waste results in a 3:1 volume decrease. Ash and spent HEPA filters from the incinerator and drums of low-force compacted waste are sent to WAMAC for high-force compaction before consignment to Drigg.

British Nuclear Group were examining the sustainability of the current solid LLW management procedures on the Berkeley site, looking specifically at the benefits provided by incineration of combustible waste and comparing this with low-force compaction, as well as any potential novel waste management techniques.

Scope of service supplied

Nuclear Technologies were contracted to undertake a BPEO study to determine the sustainability of the current solid LLW management on the site and to identify a preferred option for the processing of this waste up to the end of site decommissioning in 2008. This involved the collation of data, preparation of BPEO Briefing Packs, facilitating the BPEO workshop and preparation of the final report.