RSRL use of IMAGES/GIS to Support Site Release Presented at ICEM 2011

October 25, 2011

Decommissioning and restoration of the Harwell and Winfrith sites involves reviewing significant volumes of historical information as well as effective integration with data from recent site works. In response to feedback from previous conference presentations related to RSRL’s use of the IMAGES software tool, a paper entitled ‘Integrating History and Measurement into a Case for Site Release’ was presented at the 14th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management. Angela Bartlett from RSRL presented the paper on behalf of her co-authors: Mike Davies and Pete Burgess (both from Nuvia Ltd) and Gavin Coppins (Babcock).

The paper describes how RSRL uses IMAGES and associated mapping software (GIS- Geographical Information Systems) to combine historical records and technical data into documents to support site release such as delicensing cases. The paper focussed on the sources of historical information used to compile characterisation strategies at RSRL Harwell as well as the range of measurement methods available to survey land, buildings, drains and excavations.

The paper focussed on non-intrusive surveying methods such as Nuvia’s GroundhogTM large area gamma survey system, conventional radiation surveying instruments, as well as low and high resolution gamma spectrometry equipment. These survey methods are currently in use under the Site Characterisation and Minor Remediation Services contract between RSRL and Nuvia Ltd. Technical considerations relevant to carrying out and assessing data from each type of survey were illustrated. The paper also described how the different types of survey data are captured and incorporated into Babcock’s IMAGES tool for land quality and decommissioning information, so that it can then be mapped in GIS.

Angela remarked that “There was much interest at ICEM 2011 in our use of IMAGES to manage characterisation data including from members of the IAEA’s steering group for ‘ENVIRONET’ (Network on Environmental Management and Remediation). It will be rewarding to potentially share our experiences with organisations who may be able to apply some of what we have learnt to their often much larger environmental remediation challenges.”

For more information please contact Angela Vincent, RSRL Communications Manager