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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Solids from Fuel Dissolution, Process Solutions, and Waste Evaporation

Irradiated light water reactor (LWR) fuel contains material which is insoluble in nitric acid, and process solutions are unstable with respect to precipitation of compounds insoluble in nitric acid. Accordingly, solids will be encountered during fuel reprocessing, and operations must be conducted in a way to minimize formation of additional solids and to prevent their interference with reprocessing operations.

Campbell, D. O.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Technology Applicable to Remote Hazardous Constituents and Waste Stream Grouping

Originally, Rocky Flats transuranic (TRU) waste was managed from waste streams that were composed of similar chemical constituents and were generated from identical processes. Early waste processing at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) maintained the Rocky Flats record until INL began generating their own item description codes (IDCs). Ultimately TRU waste management at INL was driven to combine wastes from all IDCs that were assigned by Rocky Flats to a summary category group regardless of whether the chemical constituents in the waste were known or not. At this point, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) certified program requirements to process the TRU waste according to waste streams was nearly eliminated. In April 2018, operations in the Sludge Repackage Project (SRP) area were halted by a radiological materials release accident in which drums containing waste experienced a loss of containment after over-pressurization occurred. Four SRP drums, repackaged in the Accelerated Retrieval Project (ARP) V area, had an adverse, delayed chemical reaction event occur when prohibited materials from one container were mixed with chemically-incompatible materials from other containers in the repackaging process. This incident was the direct result of processing unknowns under a protocol where the components of the waste were added to incompatible materials resulting in a run-away reaction. After a Difficult Waste Team (DWT) and Los Alamos National Laboratory – Carlsbad Operations (LANL-CO) subject matter expert (SME) visit in September 2019, it was determined by the team that all of the work observed on the September visit was performed upstream of the certified program and that the Visual Examination (VE) and other methods typically used by the certified program were being used for Acceptable Knowledge (AK) augmentation. This augmentation was needed in order to determine what the constituents in the waste might be, and is based primarily on collections of VE results. The waste at INL that is being processed in what is considered to be the Priority 2 (yellow) and Priority 3 (red) lists either needs AK to be completed before certified characterization can occur or is waiting to be processed because the waste has been mixed with unknown wastes resulting in a lack of information that could have impact of the ability to certify and ship the waste to the WIPP.

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DOE OSTI2017

Hanford Site Composite Analysis Technical Approach Description: Radionuclide Inventory and Waste Site Selection Process.

The updated Hanford Site Composite Analysis will provide an all-pathways dose projection to a hypothetical future member of the public from all planned low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities and potential contributions from all other projected end-state sources of radioactive material left at Hanford following site closure. Its primary purpose is to support the decision-making process of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under DOE O 435.1-1, Radioactive Waste Management (DOE, 2001), related to managing low-level waste disposal facilities at the Hanford Site.

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DOE OSTI2016

Waste Generation Overview, Course 23263

This course, Waste Generation Overview Live (COURSE 23263), provides an overview of federal and state waste management regulations, as well as Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) policies and procedures for waste management operations. The course covers the activities involved in the cradle-to-grave waste management process and focuses on waste characterization, waste compatibility determinations and classification, and the storage requirements for temporary waste accumulation areas at LANL. When you have completed this course, you will be able to recognize federal, state, and LANL environmental requirements and their impact on waste operations; recognize the importance of the cradle-to-grave waste management process; identify the roles and responsibilities of key LANL waste management personnel (e.g., Waste Generator, Waste Management Coordinator, Waste Stream Profile approver, and Waste Certification Official); characterize a waste stream to determine whether it meets the definition of a hazardous waste, as well as characterize the use and minimum requirements for use of acceptable knowledge (AK) for waste characterization and waste compatibility documentation requirements; and identify the requirements for setting up and managing temporary waste accumulation areas.

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DOE OSTI2021

Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale

Performance assessment (PA) of geologic radioactive waste repositories requires three-dimensional simulation of highly nonlinear, thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC), multiphase flow and transport processes across many kilometers and over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Integrating the effects of a near-field geomechanical process (i.e. buffer swelling) into coupled THC simulations through reduced-order modeling, rather than through fully coupled geomechanics, can reduce the dimensionality of the problem and improve computational efficiency. In this study, PFLOTRAN simulations model a single waste package in a shale host rock repository, where re-saturation of a bentonite buffer causes the buffer to swell and exert stress on a highly fractured disturbed rock zone (DRZ). Three types of stress-dependent permeability functions (exponential, modified cubic, and Two-part Hooke’s law models) are implemented to describe mechanical characteristics of the system. Overall, our modeling study suggests that compressing fractures reduces DRZ permeability, which could influence the rate of radionuclide transport and exchange with corrosive species in host rock groundwater that could accelerate waste package degradation. Less permeable shale host rock delays buffer swelling, consequently retarding DRZ permeability reduction as well as chemical transport within the barrier system.

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DOE OSTI2015

Anaerobic sequencing batch reactor in pilot scale for treatment of tofu industry wastewater

The small industry of tofu production process releases the waste water without being processed first, and the wastewater is directly discharged into water. In this study, Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor in Pilot Scale for Treatment of Tofu Industry was developed through an anaerobic process to produce biogas as one kind of environmentally friendly renewable energy which can be developed into the countryside. The purpose of this study was to examine the fundamental characteristics of organic matter elimination of industrial wastewater with small tofu effective method and utilize anaerobic active sludge with Anaerobic Sequencing Bath Reactor (ASBR) to get rural biogas as an energy source. The first factor is the amount of the active sludge concentration which functions as the decomposers of organic matter and controlling selectivity allowance to degrade organic matter. The second factor is that HRT is the average period required substrate to react with the bacteria in the Anaerobic Sequencing Bath Reactor (ASBR).The results of processing the waste of tofu production industry using ASBR reactor with active sludge additions as starter generates cumulative volume of 5814.4 mL at HRT 5 days so that in this study it is obtained the conversion 0.16 L of CH{sub 4}/g COD and produce biogas containing of CH{sub 4}: 81.23% and CO{sub 2}: 16.12%. The wastewater treatment of tofu production using ASBR reactor is able to produce renewable energy that has economic value as well as environmentally friendly by nature.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2016

WTP Waste Feed Qualification: Hydrogen Generation Rate Measurement Apparatus Testing Report

The generation rate of hydrogen gas in the Hanford tank waste will be measured during the qualification of the staged tank waste for processing in the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. Based on a review of past practices in measurement of the hydrogen generation, an apparatus to perform this measurement has been designed and tested for use during waste feed qualification. The hydrogen generation rate measurement apparatus (HGRMA) described in this document utilized a 100 milliliter sample in a continuously-purged, continuously-stirred vessel, with measurement of hydrogen concentration in the vent gas. The vessel and lid had a combined 220 milliliters of headspace. The vent gas system included a small condenser to prevent excessive evaporative losses from the sample during the test, as well as a demister and filter to prevent particle migration from the sample to the gas chromatography system. The gas chromatograph was an on line automated instrument with a large-volume sample-injection system to allow measurement of very low hydrogen concentrations. This instrument automatically sampled the vent gas from the hydrogen generation rate measurement apparatus every five minutes and performed data regression in real time. The fabrication of the hydrogen generation rate measurement apparatus was in accordance with twenty three (23) design requirements documented in the conceptual design package, as well as seven (7) required developmental activities documented in the task plan associated with this work scope. The HGRMA was initially tested for proof of concept with physical simulants, and a remote demonstration of the system was performed in the Savannah River National Laboratory Shielded Cells Mockup Facility. Final verification testing was performed using non-radioactive simulants of the Hanford tank waste. Three different simulants were tested to bound the expected rheological properties expected during waste feed qualification testing. These simulants were tested at different temperatures using purge gas spiked with varying amounts of hydrogen to provide verification that the system could accurately measure the hydrogen in the vent gas at steady state.

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DOE OSTI2017

Implementing a Low Activity Waste Direct Feed Capability in the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant - 17277

The original design of the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) requires that all waste be processed through the Pretreatment (PT) Facility in order to separate the low-activity waste and high-level waste streams. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a sequenced approach to completing the WTP Project, beginning with feeding some liquid waste directly to the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility, bypassing the PT Facility. Sending low-activity waste from the tank farms to the LAW Facility is referred to as direct-feed LAW (DFLAW). Using this approach, low-activity waste will be pretreated in a Low-Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) for cesium and solids separation to meet LAW Facility safety basis requirements and produce an acceptable low-activity waste product. The waste feed will then be transferred to the LAW Facility where it will be immobilized in glass, poured into stainless steel containers, and then transported by truck to the Integrated Disposal Facility, a mixed waste burial ground located in the Hanford 200-East Area. The primary driver for the DFLAW approach is to enable commissioning of the LAW Facility for low-activity waste processing prior to the completion and availability of the PT and High-Level Waste (HLW) facilities. As such, the functions intended to be provided to the LAW Facility by the PT Facility and the common functionality with the HLW Facility must be refined and modified to enable DFLAW operations. The DFLAW approach will provide necessary systems and facilities to replace these enabling PT Facility functions until the PT Facility is completed and commissioned. For example, liquid effluents from the LAW Facility, primarily melter offgas condensate, will be processed in a new effluent management facility (EMF) within the WTP footprint rather than sending the effluent back to the PT Facility for processing. During DFLAW operations approximately 3 785 m{sup 3} (1 million gallons) of double-shell tank (DST) waste will be delivered to WTP for treatment each year of operation, and nominally produce 21 metric tons of immobilized low-activity waste glass per day. The resultant freed space in the DSTs will support safe tank farm operation and staging of additional waste for treatment. In December 2016, DOE executed a contract modification and approved an incremental change to the project's performance baseline to complete the WTP facilities needed to allow direct feed of low-activity waste to the LAW Facility. The revised performance baseline supports completion and cold commissioning of the WTP facilities needed for DFLAW operations no later than August 2023. The design of modifications to WTP facilities needed to enable DFLAW operations is more that 60 percent complete. DOE approved the preliminary safety basis for DFLAW modifications to WTP based on the 30 percent design package in early 2016. Early construction work for DFLAW modifications to WTP began in mid-2015. Long-lead procurement actions for some of the more complex equipment needed for LAW Facility effluent treatment were initiated in early 2016. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2024

A Simulation Modeling Approach to Optimizing Nuclear Waste Dispositioning

The dispositioning of nuclear waste generated at facilities across the country is an ongoing battle that affects us all. National laboratories and research centers dealing in medical research, clean energy, and other nuclear activities such as the Department of Energy (DOE) facilities face the need to properly manage and dispose of nuclear waste. A dynamic modeling solution would enable the DOE and others to make decisions on waste disposal and technological options. In doing so, this research explores modeling techniques using available data to address these situations. The focus being on developing an initial robust and adaptable discrete event model using the ExtendSim tool. This modeling effort will target the dispositioning of transuranic waste at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) which can be expanded to represent the current state of disposition process for waste generated at other DOE facilities. The model aims to assess resource allocation and waste processing options to stabilize productivity and cut the backlog of nuclear waste. By assessing the results of different scenarios, this research aims to provide actionable insights for the DOE. This approach has the potential to significantly improve the management of radioactive waste, offering the capability of evaluating options for optimizing the process for nuclear waste disposal. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers and other national laboratories, or research entities engaged in nuclear operations by enabling them to make more informed choices.

Andaverde, Alexis↗
DOE OSTI2017

Transitioning from Construction to Startup for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant's Low-Activity Waste Facility - 17284

The original design of the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) required all waste be processed through the Pretreatment (PT) Facility in order to separate the low-activity waste and high-level waste streams. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection (ORP) has developed a sequenced approach to completing the WTP Project, beginning with delivering some liquid waste directly to the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility, bypassing the PT Facility. This operating configuration is referred to as direct-feed LAW (DFLAW). The primary driver for the DFLAW approach is to enable startup and commissioning of the LAW Facility for low-activity waste processing prior to the completion and availability of the PT and High-Level Waste facilities. In March 2016, a federal judge amended the Consent Decree between DOE and the State of Washington to require completion of hot commissioning for the LAW Facility no later than December 31, 2023. During the next few years ORP and the WTP contractor will transition the project from completion of construction to the startup and commissioning phase for the LAW Facility and the associated support facilities. The WTP contractor has developed an integrated management process to successfully conduct facility startup testing for the WTP facilities required to support DFLAW. The WTP contractor will also develop a commissioning plan and facility transition plan. These plans will describe the strategy; schedule; and requirements for safe, efficient, and sequential startup, commissioning, and transfer of the WTP facilities to an operations contractor. The WTP contractor has also established a strategy to achieve operational readiness for the facilities required to support DFLAW consistent with DOE O 425.1D, Verification of Readiness to Start Up or Restart Nuclear Facilities and DOE O 413.3B, Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets. ORP has established a strategy for oversight of the WTP contractor's startup, commissioning, and readiness activities. The strategy also encompasses ORP's own activities to achieve readiness. (authors)

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NASA NTRS2024

Rapid Composting of Crop Space Waste

This project processed multiple types of waste simulant feedstocks using commercial composting units and NASA Trash-to-Gas (TtG) technology processing units to see what solids, liquids, and gases could be recovered. The feedstock waste included inedible biomass, mission waste from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA), Mars analog, and the long duration Orbital Syngas/Commodity Augmentation Reactor (OSCAR) Waste Simulant (OWS) and OSCAR Full Scale (FS) (also referred to as Mars 850-day mission waste simulant). The performance data was collected, and overall performance of the waste processing systems, as well as elemental analysis of the product yields for enabling Lunar and Martian regolith mixtures in a crop grow-out study, were performed. Germination took place in certain Lunar and Martian regolith studies, with promising preliminary results that TtG solid products can be used as plant nutrients to enable crop growth in off-world regolith simulants.

Anne Meier↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electrochemical processing of solid waste

The investigation into electrolysis as a means of waste treatment and recycling on manned space missions is described. The electrochemical reactions of an artificial fecal waste mixture was examined. Waste electrolysis experiments were performed in a single compartment reactor, on platinum electrodes, to determine conditions likely to maximize the efficiency of oxidation of fecal waste material to CO2. The maximum current efficiencies for artificial fecal waste electrolysis to CO2 was found to be around 50 percent in the test apparatus. Experiments involving fecal waste oxidation on platinum indicates that electrodes with a higher overvoltage for oxygen evolution such as lead dioxide will give a larger effective potential range for organic oxidation reactions. An electrochemical packed column reactor was constructed with lead dioxide as electrode material. Preliminary experiments were performed using a packed-bed reactor and continuous flow techniques showing this system may be effective in complete oxidation of fecal material. The addition of redox mediator Ce(3+)/Ce(4+) enhances the oxidation process of biomass components. Scientific literature relevant to biomass and fecal waste electrolysis were reviewed.

Bockris, J. OM.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Implementation of Ion Exchange Processes on Industrial Waste Streams for CO 2 Mineralization

Economic development and population growth will lead to an increase in global energy consumption. Large coal-fired power plants (>500 MW) account for almost half of the total CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and nearly 26% of the global fossil fuel and industry CO 2 emissions. Long-term management of the more than 36 Gt of CO 2 that is emitted globally per year is urgently needed. CO 2 mineralization is an attractive method of sequestering CO 2 because it captures CO 2 as an insoluble carbonate mineral, mimicking the natural process of rock weathering. Here, we present a pathway for accelerated CO 2 mineralization enabled by divalent cations sourced from liquid streams. In this work, we investigate a mineralization route that converts flue gas CO 2 to precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) using waste aqueous streams as the calcium source. The proposed mineralization route integrates CO 2 utilization and waste liquid management at coal power plants. Maintaining alkalinity during carbonation is the primary challenge in this process. Instead of relying on the consumption of costly and unsustainable sources of alkalinity (e.g., sodium hydroxide), we used regenerable solids to increase the pH of water by ion exchange. The increase in alkalinity creates a more thermodynamically favorable environment for calcite precipitation. The capacities for ion exchange of various commercially available zeolites and ion exchange resins in CO 2 -saturated water were studied through batch equilibrium and column ion-exchange experiments. During ion exchange, H + in the water exchanges with Na + , Ca 2+ or K + in the zeolite or resin. Batch equilibrium isotherms for H + –Na + exchange were collected by first adding varying amounts of the ion exchange solid (0 – 1.0 kg per kg of water) to CO 2 -saturated water (pCO 2 = 1 atm, pH 4) to determine the maximum H + –Na + exchange achievable. Ion-exchange column studies were performed to determine breakthrough capacity of the system. In both systems, an increase in pH coupled with an increase in Na concentration was observed, demonstrating the feasibility of forward ion exchange. Zeolitic materials increased the alkalinity of the solution from pH 4 to around 10, whereas ion exchange resins containing weakly acidic functional groups (e.g., carboxylic acid) exhibited higher affinity for H + , increasing pH to 11.3 and surpassing the pH shift induced by the zeolitic materials. The extent of calcite precipitation was evaluated by mixing the alkaline CO 3 2- -rich water obtained after passing through the ion-exchange column and a CaCl 2 solution. Calcite yields are as expected from chemical thermodynamics. Calcium carbonate yields found experimentally were about 26 and 8 mmol per kg water for the weakly acidic ion exchange resin and zeolitic materials, respectively. The results from these studies indicate that ion exchange processes can be used as an alternative to the addition of stoichiometric inorganic bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to induce alkalinity for the consequent precipitation of CaCO 3 . Instead, weakly acidic ion exchange resins commonly used for water hardness removal were alternatively used to induce pH swings in the aqueous solutions. The high calcium carbonate yields obtained for the materials examined demonstrate the potential application of this process. In addition, the successful operation of the calcium carbonate production process at standard temperature and pressure conditions support its potential for industrial implementation.

Simonetti, Dante↗
DOE OSTI2021

System Configuration Evaluation for Process Settling of Hanford Waste Solid Particles

Direct Feed High-Level Waste (DFHLW) is a potential flowsheet operations approach to initiating high-level waste (HLW) vitrification prior to completion of the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Pretreatment Facility. A settle/decant process has been proposed to concentrate solids prior to delivery to the WTP HLW Facility during DFHLW operations, wherein the solids in a settled layer would be remixed with the supernatant liquid remaining after decanting operations to provide the feed at required solids concentrations. Settling would be used in lieu of purpose-built filtration or other solids separation equipment. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is providing baseline technical support to the Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) Flowsheet Integration group. To support planning for DFHLW, WRPS previously requested that PNNL evaluate the current data set available to predict the time needed for HLW solids to settle and the solids concentration and strength of that settled layer, to identify gaps in the understanding and predictive capability of HLW solids waste settling times, and to provide scoping estimates of the potential settling times. Eight technical gaps were identified for predicting settling times and characteristics of the formed sediment layers. In addition to the data gaps, an overarching observation was made that there is significant variation in behavior of settling rate and settled layer data. The settling time required to concentrate solids via a settle/decant process was determined from the limited data to have a difference of potentially more than a factor of 5,000 in the estimated settling times, varying from 0.2 to 1,060 days for example depending on process vessel depth and final sediment solids concentration. In contrast, successful processes of liquid-forward output streams resulting from in-tank settling and decanting forward liquid have been reported for operations conducted at the Hanford Site. The purpose of this current report is to further support DFHLW planning by evaluating double-shell tank (DST) and alternate vessel equipment and operational configurations to enable optimization of the settle/decant process to concentrate solids. Hanford waste processing behavior specific to liquid feed availability following a slurry transfer in a DST is summarized, including process stream characteristics and process equipment configurations. The performance of DST process equipment configurations is evaluated for possible improvements using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and simple analytical models. Potential new vessel design(s) specific to enabling effective settle/decant processes, and cursory summary of other separate and inline solids separations processes, are also provided. The CFD results indicated that improvement in outflow solids concentration was promoted by a reduction in the slurry flow rate, angling the distributor nozzles downward, and lifting the transfer pump. The solid-liquid analysis evaluating particle trajectory confirmed that the potential for particle ingestion (in the transfer pump) was decreased with increased radial separation between the inlet and outlet (transfer pump inlet), decreased inlet flow, and decreased liquid density and viscosity for a neutrally buoyant inlet flow. An assessment was also made of the potential for inflow configuration changes to result in the discrete mounding or piling of solids within the tank. Based on the characterization of the settled waste to date, HLW sediments will be unlikely to sustain a substantial angle of repose to facilitate significant variations in the elevation of the settled solids.

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DOE OSTI2016

Development of Chlorination Process for Cladding Hull Waste and its Combination with Pyroprocessing

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) is spending efforts to minimize the amount of radioactive wastes generated during pyro-processing. One of the major issues is management of cladding hull waste owing to its large amount (25 wt.% of fuel) and high radioactivity. Although the cladding hull waste might be classified as an intermediate-level waste according to the Korean regulation, the large amount makes it reasonable to develop a way to reduce the amount of cladding hull waste. Previously performed radioactivation analysis results revealed that selective recovery of zirconium from the cladding hull waste will produce a weak beta-decaying zirconium. As a means of selective Zr recovery, KAERI is working on a chlorination process which employs a chemical reaction between metallic zirconium and chlorine gas. The chlorination process generates zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl{sub 4}) which sublimes at 331 deg. C leading to an easy separation from other radioactive nuclides. KAERI has started the chlorination process R and D with small quartz reactors with grams of cladding hulls, and now its work is proceeded to fundamental approaches and scale-up. In this work, the progress achieved by KAERI on the chlorination process is reviewed and a recent approach to combine the chlorination process with pyro-processing, so-called MKZP (Min Ku Zirconium Process) is introduced. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Application of Process Chemical Modeling to Optimize Radioactive Waste Disposal at the Savannah River Site - 24242

The Technical Optimization Model (TOM) is used by Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) to carry out facility-wide material balance and validate chemistrydependent processes for the purpose of their System Plan.The TOM simulates material movement and chemical reactions at the Tank Farm (TF), Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) and Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF).

Georgiou, Andreas↗
DOE OSTI2016

Remote Retrieval, Disruption and Processing of Legacy Nuclear Waste - 16179

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is currently undertaking, in conjunction with Sellafield Ltd, a series of high profile trials of robotic equipment on a full scale test facility at their Workington Laboratory in England. These trials are designed to underpin and substantiate the processes proposed for the remote retrieval, disruption and processing of legacy Miscellaneous Beta Gamma Waste (MBGW) from a number of different donor plants on the Sellafield site, including some of the older fuel storage ponds and storage silos. These processes will be conducted inside the new Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP) which is due to be commissioned at Sellafield by 2020. These processes will subsequently enable Sellafield Ltd to safely recover legacy Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) from the older storage facilities on site and process it into a safer form which is more suitable for long term storage and then ultimately final disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility. As part of this legacy waste processing within the BEP plant, MBGW waste items will have to be remotely removed from a variety of different types of import skips. This waste will then be transferred, using robots, into the export container, which is a 3 m{sup 3} box liner, where the processed waste will be flood grouted to produce an encapsulated waste package. As part of this processing, any MBGW items consisting of sealed containers will have to be remotely disrupted before being grout encapsulated. This disruption is in order to (a) release any trapped liquors or gases from the containers and (b) ensure full grout infiltration of the container contents, thus minimising the amount of free liquors and voids within the final waste product. The NNL are conducting this technical work to confirm the viability of the proposed concept, processes and equipment. The developed solution consists of a linear layout of processing equipment with a pair of heavy duty, standard industrial, 'commercially off the shelf' (COTS) robots positioned around a Waste Handling Table. These robots have a 500 kg payload capacity and are operated remotely to handle all of the various types of MBGW waste, including the heavy and bulky items. The robots can be operated in manual tele-operation mode as well as pre-programmed automatic mode and have a range of primary and secondary tooling in order to perform the waste processing and disruption tasks as well as undertake general house-keeping and cleaning duties within the cell. The main tools include two types of hydraulic grab for the main waste recovery and handling tasks and a hydraulic shear for the waste disruption activities, but a number of other tools have also been designed and built for ancillary activities, such as a set of general purpose gripper jaws, drilling tool, bolt removal tool, pump tool, spray tool and a number of different housekeeping tools etc. The robot trials were started in November 2014, and have attracted a significant degree of high level stakeholder interest, including the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Environment Agency (EA) and Radioactive Waste Management Limited (RWML) witnessing a number of the critical demonstration trials. Robots of the type selected are readily available, robust, reliable and easy to use. The trials have been very successful in proving the retrieval, processing and disruption operations, reducing the burden in the legacy waste facilities. Utilising robots to perform these tasks will lower the probability of producing non-compliant waste packages. In addition the robots can increase the consolidation of incoming waste skips into outgoing 3 m{sup 3} box liners, significantly increasing packing efficiencies and reducing the overall number of export containers produced thus lowering the decommissioning and waste storage/disposal costs. The trials have also enabled an assessment of the optimum way to operate the robots, as well as their reliability and maintainability issues. Engineering work associated with recovering failed robots and removing them from a typical Sellafield plant environment and then subsequently replacing them with functioning robots has also been undertaken and further work is now planned. The success of the trials, completed safely to a very challenging timescale, has enabled the use of robots in BEP to be endorsed as a viable option by the key stakeholders. Following a robust decision making process, this was a clear cut decision. The technical development and testing of the robot technology is currently continuing in order to investigate areas such as robot reliability, failure recoveries, human factors, ease of waste identification, optimisation of throughput rates, nuclearisation modifications etc. (authors)

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