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5000th container of high level waste vitrified at Sellafield
A major milestone was reached at Sellafield last night with the production of the 5000th container of high level solid waste being completed in the site’s vitrification plant.
The Vitrification plant is responsible for converting liquid High Level Waste (HLW) into a solid form by mixing it with glass. In a solid form, the waste can be stored safely and more suitably for eventual transport and storage.
In addition, vitrification reduces the volume of liquid waste to one third of its original volume.
The completion of the 5000th container represents 3000 m³ of Highly Active Liquor (HAL) processed and
reduced down to 750 m³ of glass in containers. Likewise, it also sees the culmination of a staggering 40,000 tonnes of uranium reprocessed through both the Thorp and the Magnox plants combined.
At an event held on 29 May, MD for Sellafield Ltd Bill Poulson, Production Operations director Mike Johnson and NDA’s Sellafield Programme Director, Dr Ian Hudson visited the Vitrification plant prior to the production of the landmark container, to speak to workers and visit the control room where the pour would be initiated.
Speaking at the event, Bill Poulson said: “It should be recognised that this is a site wide achievement representing the combined efforts at hazard reduction across the High Level Waste Plants, Magnox, and Thorp.
“I’d especially like to thank the people who actually run the plant – their steady level of excellent performance has allowed us to deliver the goods; it’s their everyday dedicated efforts that have enabled us to realise this achievement.”
Mike Johnson went on to add: “This is a significant milestone for the team from the Vitrification plant. Completion of this container is a tribute to the teamwork and professionalism of all the teams involved. Well done.”
Also at the event, on behalf of the site owners, Dr Ian Hudson commented: “It is important that we recognise this significant milestone especially as current production levels are ahead of schedule. My congratulations go to everyone involved as making progress in high hazard reductions is one of our shared key priorities.”
The Vitrification plant became an active plant in July 1990 and produces an average of 400 containers a year. So far this year, the plant is ahead of its target.
