Waste Volume Reduction by Studsvik Nuclear AB Anders Stenmark and Bo Wirendal September 16th, 2010
Waste Streams from Industry The Nuclear Industry generates operational waste during its lifetime as well as during decommissioning after shut down Largest volume of generated waste is categorized as LLW (Low Level Waste) LLW disposal is associated with considerable cost at final disposal even if the content of radioactive nuclides are relatively low Cost of disposal is strongly correlated with volume since repository space is limited Prolonged life time of NPP s may now exhaust existing repository space
Waste Streams from Industry National Repository External Service Supplier Land Fill Direct Free Release
Five Operating Segments Sweden United Kingdom Germany USA Global Services Waste Treatment performed in the facilities in Sweden Customers in Europe; Sweden, Germany and neighboring countries, UK Waste Treatment and Decommissioning in the United Kingdom Decommissioning and Engineering & Services in Germany and neighboring countries Waste Treatment business carried out at the Group s facilities in the USA Customers in the USA and Canada Operating Efficiency; materials technology and fuel optimization software Global customer base, business in many countries
Business Concept Waste Treatment Waste Volume Reduction Cost effective & reliable treatment in our own facilities 100% ~5% World leader with innovative technology Recycling as a environmentally conscious part of the service to preserve limited resources
Drivers and Customer Benefits Optimal and final conditioning of LLW Minimizing cost by Waste Volume Reduction Improve waste management efficiency Minimizing NPP on-site waste treatment Avoiding interim storage at power plant and free up space Recycling of valuable materials reduces environmental burden Long term sustainable strategy Waste volume reduction will prolong repository life time and reduce over all cost Improve public impression of the nuclear industry
Waste categories / services Containerized scrap metal - Steel, copper, brass, al, lead Large components - Steam Generators - Turbines - Heat exchangers - Reactor vessel heads - Reactor vessels - Fuel Transport Flasks Dry active waste (Incinerable) Contaminated oil Granulated Char Coal (2011) Cables Non-nuclear waste, IKA (Swe) Free-release measurements (Swe)
The Studsvik site in Sweden Material testing labs Deep sea Harbour (RoRo) Metal processing facility Incineration facility ILW facility RadWaste Processing Area
Incineration Facility
Metallic Waste Processing Facility Decont Melting Segmentation Arrival Large components
Waste Volume Reduction Services by Studsvik Steam Generator Metal Incineration DAW, Oil, Char coal Large components Metal Containerized scrap Steel, Al, Brass, Copper, Lead
Duty of care Secondary Waste returned to country of origin Always customer specific campaigns All secondary waste packages are analysed for radiological content A comprehensive Final Report is generated during processing with radiological analysis data Volume reduced waste consist of a concentrate including the radioactive nuclides to be returned Ash and dust from incineration Grit blasting dust from decontamination Dust from ventilation systems Slag from metal melting Out sorted metal not meeting exemption criteria Other out sorted waste (non-treatable) ISOCS Gamma scan secondary Waste
Regulations for Free Release of Metal Melting of metal ensures robust characterisation analysis Representative sample pucks Metal is Free Released according to European Comission s Recommendation RP89 Paragraph 3.1 (restricted free release) Plus a by authority stipulated, mandatory 2 nd remelt with other metal in ratio of maximum 10% befor metal is released as recycled commodity
World leader - large components 170 t HX, NPP Oskarshamn (S) 70 t HX NPP Mühleberg (Ch) 300 t Turbine components NPP Mühleberg (Ch) 4 x 165 t Steam Generators NPP Stade (Ger) Turbine components NPP Würgassen (Ger) 700 t Turbine components NPP Ringhals (S) 1600 t Turbines NPP Forsmark (S) 6 x 310 t Steam Generators Ringhals (S) 8x88 t HX, TVO (Fi)
UK Metals Recycling Facility, Workington Today in full service available for the UK market Floor space 2500m 2 Security and fencing covering 2.5 ha site Metals Recycling Facility supplies service of size reduction, decontamination and free release Integrated with Swedish operations to utilize incineration and metal melting when needed Close cooperation with Sweden operations to maximize utilization of experience and development of new technology Recognized service supplier to the UK nuclear industry including logistics service
Facilities, USA Facility in Erwin for wet waste processing of B/C-waste using Studsvik THOR SM technology Integrated storage solution with Waste Control Specialists Facility in Memphis processing of metal and other dry class-a waste Logistic operations
Is this good enough? Today transportation regulations according to ADR Radiation limitations from transport package restricts scope of work without specialized transport container Is there a way to utilize the good standard of volume reduction and recycling also on ILW? Can we improve cost efficiency by volume reduction of ILW? Can cooperation between the industry and authorities in this question find benefits with a central treatment facility to support national demand? How can this reduce down time at NPP s during maintenance/upgrade and will it improve speed of decommissioning work? Will it reduce clean up liability in the future?
Future requirements? Studsvik would like to encourage close discussion with industry and authorities to evaluate future improvements of waste management in the nuclear industry Volume reduction of waste holding higher activity/dose rate (ILW) will require answers to many aspects Safety and transportation standards may need to be reviewed Universal packages for transport from NPP to central facility and finally to final storage/repository Adapted transport vessel may me required Extended/adapted central treatment facility in connection to existing LLW facilities at Studsvik is the best alternative for such treatment center Long experience with many of the requirements already existing today at Studsvik