Many achievements have resulted from this facility:
- The building enabled the safe handling of highly contaminated items.
- Enhanced waste characterisation allowed the use of lower-level waste and smaller containers which saved on both cost and size. The first item that was size reduced saved £ 1.27 million and this resulted in projections of estimated savings of over £ 17 million throughout the active demonstration phase( 18 items).
- The implementation of remote operations via CCTV and control systems reduced the radiation exposure of staff.
- DWSP made the most of an unused space as it repurposed a building into a low background monitoring facility.
These successes were acknowledged as DWSP was the winner of the Sellafield site awards for two years in a row. The facility is now owned by Sellafield and operated by AtkinsRéalis.
Skip Size Reduction Facility( SSRF) SSRF addressed the challenge of processing highly contaminated spent fuel pond skips so they can be disposed of as waste.
AtkinsRéalis designed, built, and commissioned a modular laser-based size reduction facility using commercial off-the-
High hazard pond skip aligned on cutting table awaiting size reduction
shelf equipment to minimise engineering risk. The facility uses remotely operated robot lasers to size reduce the skips, and then magnets to manoeuvre the skips within a controlled environment. The system processes two skips into a third ' mother ' skip, reducing the overall storage footprint. The process also enables skip sectioning for easier decontamination and waste reclassification.
The laser used is remotely operated within a controlled and contained unit, reducing contamination risks and long term operator dose rate uptake. An advanced self-cleaning filtration system maintains air quality and reduces airborne contaminants.
The facility represents a major step toward processing thousands of redundant fuel skips and metallic ILW, reducing volumes and disposal costs. It may also be reused for further ILW processing, therefore maximising capital investment.
Remote operated laser for skip cutting as well as magnetic robot arm for skip manipulation
Conclusion The introduction of Active Demonstrators marks a transformative step in Sellafield ' s decommissioning strategy. By leveraging proven technologies and adapting them to site-specific needs, DWSP and SSRF have delivered measurable improvements in safety, cost-efficiency, and waste management. These facilities not only address immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for scalable, sustainable solutions across the wider nuclear estate.
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