The Sludge Packaging Plant
The Sludge Packaging Plant consists of two major projects which will hydraulically receive legacy sludge from the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond and process it into a product suitable for long term storage or disposal.
Constructed in the 1950’s the Magnox storage pond was used to store, cool and prepare Magnox fuel prior to reprocessing. Through the 1970’s sludge and waste was accumulated throughout the building other than just in the pond: adding to an already major clean up challenge. Throughout its operational phase the plant stored and processed approximately 27,000 tonnes of fuel - approximately 2.5 million fuel rods. The plant ceased decanning operations in 1986, switching to a fuel handling plant. It has since been undergoing Post Operational Clean Out activities.
SPP1 is made up of two components the Buffer Storage Facility and the Process and Export Plant. The buffer storage facility project is the initial element of the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond Retrievals Strategy to deliver a facility capable of receiving and storing Magnox sludge waste retrieved from the building, thus reducing the overall hazard of the plant.
Work commenced on site clearance in November 2005, and involved the demolition and clearance of a number of redundant facilities. Site preparation was completed in September 2007, and following construction of a perimeter fence the area was moved out of the Separation Area, improving accessibility and risk to workers.
The first concrete pour of the new structure took place on Tuesday 6 May 2008. MP for Copeland, Jamie Reed, pressed the button to start the pour, as well as receiving a cheque for £1,000 for charity, the result of excellent performance in the SPP1 safety accumulator scheme.
To date 167 tonnes of steelwork has been fixed and 412 cubic metres of concrete has been poured.
More than 167 tonnes of steelwork has been fixed and 412 cubic metres of concrete has been poured
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