Intermediate-level waste management at Sellafield - a comprehensive strategy

Management of the inventory of historic intermediate level wastes at Sellafield is a task that compares in magnitude and complexity with the construction of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant (THORP). A successful outcome will crucially influence the future direction of civil nuclear power in the United Kingdom. British Nuclear Fuels plc has commenced this task and is already committed to significant capital and operating expenditure over the next decade. This paper describes in detail the strategic approach adopted by the company and looks briefly at the engineering challenges that are being faced. Details of these will be presented in future papers as the program of plant cleanups progresses.