All reprocessing operations face the challenge of dealing with plutonium residues unsuitable for recycling. The National Nuclear Laboratory has collobrated with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to modify their SYNROC process to support safe and secure management and disposal. There are up to five tonnes of plutonium residues on the Sellafield site, which are not suitable for recycling and consequently need to be managed. The challenge is to find a safe long-term immobilisation technique, which provides the minimum cost option.

Durable rock is one of the most stable materials found in nature. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has developed a technique for generating a synthetic rock, known as SYNROC. NNL has been working with ANSTO to modify their process so that Sellafield Plutonium residues can be incorporated into this new SYNROC matrix. This work has been so successful that modified SYNROC has been chosen as the waste management technology for these residues and it is intended that a plant will be built on the Sellafield site, which will incorporate them into modifi ed SYNROC prior to disposal.

The book value ascribed to the Plutonium Residue liability was £141 Million. The National Nuclear Laboratory solution will save around £100 Million of baseline cost.

Commercial Team, 01925 834560