Shantel
Key Takeaways
- Historic retrieval of waste initiated at the UK’s oldest waste storage facility at Sellafield, thanks to innovative technology from a Bechtel-Cavendish Nuclear team.
- Sellafield now retrieves waste from all four of its legacy ponds and silos for the first time.
- A telescopic waste retrieval crane and stainless steel boxes ensure safe waste removal.
- The project is part of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s highest priority risk reduction cleanup program.
About Bechtel and Cavendish Nuclear
Bechtel is a globally trusted partner in engineering, construction, and project management. Since its inception in 1898, Bechtel has completed over 25,000 projects in 160 countries, serving various industries like energy, infrastructure, and nuclear security.
Cavendish Nuclear is a leader in servicing existing nuclear power plants, decommissioning complex nuclear sites, and supporting the UK’s clean energy initiatives. They cover all aspects of the nuclear energy life cycle, from design to waste management.
A Legacy Unlocked: The Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS)
The Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS) at Sellafield has been one of the UK’s oldest and most secure waste storage buildings. Built in the 1950s, this facility was designed to house radioactive waste from the nation’s earliest nuclear reactors. Comprising six shielded compartments, it has stood as a testament to the challenges associated with long-term waste management.
Euan Hutton, CEO of Sellafield Ltd, captures the significance of this moment: “The first retrievals from the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo are a huge step towards delivering our purpose of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations. This achievement means that for the first time ever, Sellafield is retrieving waste from all four of our legacy ponds and silos. This represents the culmination of years of effort by hundreds of people throughout our organisation and contractor community. I am enormously proud of all of them.”
Technological Triumph: The Retrieval Process
In a groundbreaking effort, a Bechtel-Cavendish Nuclear team designed, manufactured, tested, and installed new equipment for the retrieval process. A remotely operated telescopic waste retrieval crane safely lifts the waste from the silo and places it into a stainless steel waste box. This box will then be sealed and transferred to a modern facility at the Sellafield site for long-term safe storage.
Mike Higgins, Bechtel’s project manager at Sellafield, remarks, “This is another leap forward in the cleanup of one of Europe’s most hazardous buildings that has posed an environmental risk for decades. The rapid and safe retrieval of this waste and repackaging into modern containers is a national priority. Getting to this position, over the last 12 years, is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of the team.”
Collaborative Success: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
It wasn’t just a one-company show. The project saw an exemplary level of collaboration between Sellafield, Bechtel, and Cavendish Nuclear. Leigh Wakefield, Business Director at Cavendish Nuclear, acknowledged this collaborative spirit, stating, “We are proud of the truly collaborative approach adopted between Sellafield, Bechtel and Cavendish Nuclear, which has enabled yet another milestone in the decommissioning of a 1950s nuclear waste storage facility to be delivered successfully.”
A Milestone in National and Global Waste Management
With this milestone, the project is not just an achievement for Sellafield or the UK but sets a precedent for global waste management strategies. As part of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s highest priority risk reduction cleanup program, the project marks a shift from merely containing hazardous waste to actively reducing it, thereby mitigating long-term environmental risks.
Looking Ahead: The Road to a Cleaner Future
As the world grapples with the complexities of nuclear waste disposal, the successful initiation of waste retrieval at Sellafield’s PFCS offers a glimmer of hope. It’s a critical step toward ensuring that these high-risk materials are managed, stored, or disposed of in a manner that safeguards the environment for future generations.
With this initiative, Sellafield, Bechtel, and Cavendish Nuclear have not just achieved a technological feat but have also charted a course towards a cleaner, safer world.
For more information about the ongoing efforts and future projects, you can visit the official websites of Bechtel and Cavendish Nuclear.
