React enables a ‘landmark day for major projects’ at Winfrith and the Low Level Waste Repository

Introduction

React was a key contributor to the success of the Treated Radwaste Store (TRS) drums project that developed, tested, and implemented a first-of-its-kind solution for transporting and emplacing the drums within an existing Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) vault, utilising previously unusable space which would otherwise need to be in-filled on closure.

Winfrith Magnox nuclear reactor ceased operation in 1990. More than 1,000 drums of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) waste (originating from the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor) were placed in the TRS. Due to a period of sufficient radioactive decay, the waste’s radiation levels were reclassified to Low Level Waste (LLW), allowing early disposal at the LLWR site to be considered.

React was a key contributor to the success of the project and were one of the only supply chain partners to be involved throughout; from the outset, up until final preparations for emplacement works on site. React initially provided technical leadership during the concept design stage by leading the Best Available Technique option assessment and by developing the initial project scope. React continued to support the project by defining the functional requirements, assessing and planning the tests of equipment, facilitating workshops (including design readiness reviews), writing enabling documentation (strategies, capturing justifications for key decisions, reviewing risks, writing operating instructions) and considering and implementing solutions to ensure the final design reduced risks to As Low As Reasonably Practicable.

The project provided significant financial savings to the UK taxpayer by eliminating costs associated with in-fill material for the gaps in the LLWR vault and new long-term waste storage for ILW whilst waiting for the Geological Disposal Facility. The project enabled Winfrith to progress decommissioning by demolishing the TRS, getting it one step closer to returning the site to heathland with public access.

Key Benefits

• Effective problem definition resulted in a right-first-time solution.
• Cost and environmental benefits.

Client and Location

Nuclear Waste Services

Low Level Waste Repository, Cumbria, UK

Winfrith Magnox, Dorset, UK

Duration

2016 - 2022

Supply Chain Partners

• EDF-Cyclife, Magnox
• PDL
• Stobbarts
• Penny Nuclear
• Assystem
• AECOM
• Westlakes engineering
• Lawsons

Key Skills and Competencies

• Problem Definition
• Methodology Development
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Safety and Environmental
• Waste Management
• Technical Author
• Trial Planning & Management
• Radiological Dose Assessment
• Stakeholder Management
• Project Management

Seeing the first train depart Winfrith and arrive at the Repository is an exciting moment for everyone involved in the project. It is the result of over five years of collaborative planning and preparation by Nuclear Waste Services, Nuclear Restoration Services, Nuclear Transport Solutions and our extensive supply chain partners involved in the delivery of this work, including Cyclife, React Engineering, PDL and Stobbarts, to mention but a few.

Howard Falconer, Head of Customer Management at Nuclear Waste Services