Key projects
Waste operations:
ILW Operations
Remote-handled ILW operations in the Solid Waste Complex include the retrieval of historic waste from the underground ‘tube’ stores, using a second waste retrieval machine. These and new waste arisings are repackaged through the Head End Cells and stored in the Vault Store.
Some waste will be transferred from the High Activity Handling Facility and the Radiochemistry Facility for processing and returned to the Complex for final repackaging.
Waste from the Vault Store will be retrieved for immobilisation in the Waste Encapsulation Plant (WEP) when the building is complete. Operations in the High Activity Handling Facility include the size-reduction and repackaging of former National Disposal Service (NDS) sources stored in shielded containers, crates of waste from ‘Ripple’ experiments and ‘Long cans.’
Radiochemistry Facility waste operations involve the treatment of radium- contaminated waste cans and retrieved radium cans from the Solid Waste Complex.
During the site closure phase, the Vault Store and ILW Store will be emptied and the waste transferred to the Deep Waste Repository. These and the Export Facility will then be decontaminated and demolished, and the associated land remediated.
Final decommissioning of the Solid Waste Complex is expected to be completed in 2063.
LLW Operations
LLW is temporarily stored in the Solid Waste Complex and, if necessary, repackaged into drums for disposal.
Waste management operations at the Liquid Effluent Treatment Plant (LETP) include the treatment of low-level active liquid waste, prior to discharge to the River Thames. The resulting sludge is cemented into drums and consigned as solid LLW.
Historic sludges are being encapsulated in a purpose-built plant for subsequent storage as solid LLW. Active organic liquids are filtered and dispatched off-site for incineration.
Decommissioning:
Research reactors
The DIDO, PLUTO and BEPO reactors are currently in a period of care of maintenance. Decommissioning activities on the reactors will include the other facilities in the BEPO/Hangar 10 Complex, the Gamma Irradiation Facility and BEPO Store, and the hangar structure.
Various facilities
Decommissioning of the Radiochemistry Facility, the High Activity Handling Facility, the LETP and some waste management facilities in the Solid Waste Complex, including the Waste Encapsulation Plant, is planned to take place on completion of their respective waste management operations.
Liquid Effluent Treatment Plant (LETP) decommissioning work includes the buildings and above ground structures, the site active drains and the discharge pipeline.
Contaminated Land and Groundwater Remediation:
Remediation activities will be carried out on the land and, where necessary, the underground structures remaining at the LETP. Remediation will also be necessary on the ground beneath the excavated chemical disposal pits at the Western Stoarage Area (WSA), the two Meashill Trenches and other contaminated land areas.
A groundwater containment plant will continue to operate at the WSA to treat chemically contaminated groundwater.
Delicensing:
As areas of land become available on completion of decommissioning and remediation activities, a delicensing case will be prepared and submitted to the NII.
Key projects at Harwell
Decommissioning activities
Repackaging of Waste
Waste Management Operations
Mobilisation of historic LETP sludges
Remediation activities
Final delicensing of the site
