BNFL's objectives and achievements in the reduction of radioactive discharges from reprocessing plants

The reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel has been carried out at Sellafield in Cumbria since 1952. Since 1971 British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) has been responsible for operating the site and providing fuel cycle services to both British and overseas customers. BNFL is also responsible for the treatment of any wastes generated as a result of providing these services. Some liquid effluents are discharged to sea after treatment. In order to minimize the amount of radioactivity discharged to the environment the Company is introducing new plant which, by the early 1990's, will reduce annual Sellafield discharges to about 0.74 TBq (20 Ci) alpha and 300 TBq (8,000 Ci) beta. This paper describes the regulatory framework within which BNFL operates, the reduction of Sellafield discharges and the three principal processes by which this reduction is being achieved