A proven technology for boron and liquid waste treatment systems of Sizewell 'B' PWR

This paper concerns the design of the boron recycle and liquid radwaste treatment systems for SIZEWELL B nuclear power plant. The purpose of these two main systems is discussed with emphasis on the performance to be achieved. Processing into recycleable solutions of the borated water discharged from the reactor coolant circuit is described in detail with information on the selected equipment and operating procedures. Liquid radwaste treatment is also covered including the possible operating connections between these two main systems. The involvement of these systems in the radwaste treatment plant is summarized. Special attention is paid to the physical processes involved, namely degassing, evaporation and decontamination. The author shows ways in which the design has been optimized to improve decontamination performance in order to minimize discharge to the environment. This paper is based on the positive experience of STEIN INDUSTRIE - a subsidiary of the French Company ALSTHOM - in the design, supply and operation of about one hundred similar units since 1976. (author)