Novel Glass Formulations for Post Operational Clean Out of Highly Active Storage Tanks - 17596

The UK has a successful history of reprocessing nuclear fuel from both UK nuclear reactors and for overseas customers. Highly Active Liquor (HAL), a waste product from reprocessing, is stored in stainless steel tanks before being incorporated into a stable glass matrix in one of three vitrification lines at Sellafield. Over the next 4 years Sellafield Ltd will cease reprocessing nuclear fuel, and the reprocessing plants and storage tanks will enter a Post Operational Clean Out (POCO) phase to remove the radioactive inventory and prepare for future decommissioning. POCO feeds are expected to differ greatly from current HAL, and will contain high levels of molybdenum solids. This paper, and subsequent poster presentation, introduces the vitrification challenges expected with processing POCO waste-streams. The main challenge is the transfer and processing of high molybdenum containing solids. Details of the application of new glasses onto the active vitrification plant will also be included. (authors)