Treating nuclear waste

Some methods of managing the nuclear fuel cycle and the radioactive wastes it generates are briefly reviewed in the context of work being carried out by British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL). An increasing number of utilities are turning to mixed oxide fuel (MOX), which BNFL has already produced in a demonstration facility, as a safe and efficient means of recycling the plutonium recovered during reprocessing of reactor fuel. A promising option for the disposal of plutonium from dismantled nuclear weapons is also seen to be fabrication into MOX fuel for burning in power reactors. From 2002, BNFL will have their new Drypac plant in operation at Sellafield for the treatment of intermediate-level radioactive waste. Multiple waste streams will be separated by size, canned and dried, before high force compaction into pucks which will then be loaded into drums before export to an encapsulation plant. The involvement of various engineering companies in the supply of equipment for the MOX fuel plant and the Drypac plant is described. (UK)