Radioactive Waste Management
Offering Integrated Governance and Experience forInternational Nuclear Solutions
Tim Milner
Atkins Fellow

1Overview – About Atkins
Enabling a safe nuclear future through what we do today
Atkins is a global nuclear services company• Integrated organization delivering regulatory services, technology,
engineering operations, waste management, decommissioning anddispositioning solutions• Primary customers include:– US Commercial, Government and Tier 1 contractors,– UK Commercial, Government and Tier 1 contractors,– AECL Canada,– International nuclear utilities such as:– Tokyo Electric Power Company– China National Nuclear Corporation– State Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (China)

2Complete Nuclear Services Organization
Our high caliber staff work with government and commercial clients worldwide toprovide engineering, project management and site management solutions across thefull lifecycle of the nuclear industry.

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Innovative and Cost Effective Services Criticalfor Efficient Radioactive Waste Management
Facility Licensing Services

Engineering

Project & Program Management

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• Conceptual through detailed
design across the full spectrumof disciplines, underpinned byapplied technology• Niche support in key areas ofexpertise: safety, fire protection,
licensing, etc.
• Product and equipment supply• Mobilization of multidisciplinary
teams to provide owner engineer
and architect engineer services• Consulting services and program
management teams to assist ourclients to deliver controlled change totransform their businesses• Comprehensive project controls
capability including full suite of tools to
support management and reporting of
progress and performance• Hands-on program and project
managers, support functions andtrusted advisors to support program
governance• Qualified project management
consultants & practitioners

Plant applications for site licenses
Nuclear safety
Quality Assurance
Siting, environmental assessment
and stakeholder engagement• Regulatory consulting

Site Management & Operations• Government and commercial nuclear
operating sites• Plant testing and commissioning• Plant operation• Training and readiness support• Support of enabling technologies

Regulatory Interface Drivers• Understanding IAEA requirements• Provide support to setting up, andimplementing a regulatory framework• Turn Key waste management facility
design and construction which meets
nations regulations in all aspects• Support with in country approval and licensing

4Understanding Nuclear
Waste Management

Our goal is to work with clients tounderstand waste management
practices. Together we will develop a
waste strategy, the necessary
infrastructure framework and facilities,
to solve near future challenges.

Principles of Radioactive
Waste Management• Protection of human health• Protection of the environment• Protection beyond national
borders• Protection of future generations• Burdens on future generations• National legal framework• Control of radioactive waste
generation• Radioactive waste generation andmanagement interdependencies• Safety of facilities

Facility Licensing Considerations• Nuclear power plant needs• Government regulation• Localized regulation• Transportation laws
• Geological and climate norm
• Environmental concerns• Safety of workers and community• Long-term vs. interim storage• Facility , waste handling andtransportation security• Cost effective methods of treatment
and disposal• Defining waste characteristics• Establishing disposal parameterssuch as waste acceptance criteria(multiple disposition pathways may
be necessary for LLW, ILW & HLW)

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Understanding Waste Challenges
There are many factors for consideration when
determining the best strategy for radioactive waste
treatment, conditioning, storage and disposition.
In this presentation we will cover the following topics:•

Waste Classification•

The waste management process•

Radioactive waste transportation•

Radioactive waste disposal

Principles of Radioactive
Waste Management• Protection of human health• Protection of the environment• Protection beyond national
borders• Protection of future generations• Burdens on future generations• National legal framework• Control of radioactive waste
generation• Radioactive waste generation andmanagement interdependencies• Safety of facilities

6Committed to Technology
Characterization

Non destructive assay segmented
and tomographic gamma
spectroscopy, real time,
radiography, neutron assay, XRF,
XRD, SEM, FTIR Technologies•

We deal with the technically complex
challenges worldwide
Our technology portfolio supports asset
management at nuclear facilities andwaste management challenges acrossthe globe••••

Automated, remote sorting,breakdown and segregation systems
Process Gloveboxes
Waste handling equipment

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Cross-flow filtration
Chemical, biochemical andmechanical decontamination
Thermal Organic Reduction (THOR)
Shredding and compaction
Concentrate dryer

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NOH20
Waste from development & testing

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High integrity containers
Spent fuel shipping flasks
Spent fuel dry storage systems
ISFSI construction

Treatment••••

Advanced liquid rad-waste
processing systems
Mobile liquid processing systems
Polymer injection system to remove
solids from liquid rad-waste
Resin and filter dewatering system
Reverse osmosis filtration

Immobilization•••

Vitrification
Geo-polymers
Cementation and Grouting

Packaging Storage & Disposal
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Liners (steel and poly)
Casks
Radiation vaults
Concrete boxes
Container transfer systems

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Bringing the Best Solutions Home
Finding the right strategy
begins with understanding
those practiced around theworld.
Case Study:
Business Model Examination

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Nuclear Business Model: US
Reactors are owned by private(commercial) utility companies

Waste management, packaging, transportation anddisposal is managed by private companies

Plants have waste
management and disposal
agreements with private
disposal companies.

Processing (Dry)Resin, Media & Filters

Nuclear Power Plant

Clean Water Release
Processing (Liquids)

The business model in the UnitedStates places responsibility on
privately held companies
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NRC licenses plant operations
States implement special governanceDOT governs transportation
OSHA implements safety standards
EPA governs environmental standards(Within Acceptable Limits)Long-term Repository
Spent Nuclear Fuel

Package &Transfer

SNF Storage
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Nuclear Business Model: UK
Reactors are managed by private(commercial) utility companies

Waste management, packaging, transportation anddisposal is managed by UK Government

Waste management ishandled by government
and private contractors . No
centralized disposal site.

Processing (Dry)

Nuclear Power Plant

Resin, Media & Filters
Clean Water Release
Processing (Liquids)

The business model in the United
Kingdom places responsibility on
privately held companies•

ONR licenses and governs plant
operations (including wastetransportation & storage)(Within Acceptable Limits)

Interim Repository

Spent Nuclear Fuel

Package &Transfer

SNF Storage and Reprocessing
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Nuclear Business Model: China
Reactors are owned by China stateutility companies

Waste management, packaging, transportation and disposal
is managed by government and private companies

Currently plants have waste
storage for “Life of Plant”
operations. China is moving
toward regional facilities.

Processing (Dry)Resin, Media & Filters

Nuclear Power Plant

Clean Water Release
Processing (Liquids)

The business model in China
places responsibility on
private/state held companies•

NNSA governs nuclear energy(Within Acceptable Limits)

Interim “life of plant” & Long-term Repository
Spent Nuclear Fuel

Package &Transfer

SNF Storage and Reprocessing
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Atkins Waste Management
Our mission is to improve the safety of nuclear
materials handling through process management
and innovative design.
Waste Management service offerings include:•
Engineering processing solutions for High, Intermediate
and Low Level waste management•
Managing facility licensing (includes interfacing with Federal
and State governing entities, communities and stakeholders)o Siting studies, regulatory management, safetyassessment and design basis for waste processing
plants, disposal facilities and infrastructure(transportation, containers, shielded casks, etc.)•
Managing the termination of site licenseso Environmental remediation activities in accordance withgoverning agencies

12Case Studies: North America

Case Study: Chalk River
We are part owner of the Canadian
National Energy Alliance (CNEA), which wasawarded as prime contractor to manageand operate Canada’s AECL nuclear
laboratories.
CNEA addresses key objectives for thegovernment of Canada:• Managing radioactive waste anddecommissioning responsibilities at the
Chalk River and Whiteshell Laboratories• Establishing the entire waste
management infrastructure for the site
• Ensuring nuclear science and technology
capabilities and knowledge continue tosupport the federal government in its
nuclear roles and responsibilities

Case study: Savannah River Waste
Vitrification, US
We provide waste vitrification technology
and related technical and engineering
services to assist SRR with optimizing
performance of the SRS Defense Waste
Processing Facility (DWPF) and other waste
treatment processes including:• Enhancing the operational efficiency of
DWPF and the LLW facility by applying
proprietary technologies• Improving DWPF’s HLW feedpreparation process so that it generates
less hydrogen as the feed is being
prepared. To reduce the amount ofhydrogen generated during feedpreparation, we are currently designing
operational flowsheet changes toenable DWPF to reach its 400
canisters/year potential safely andconsistently

Case study: Hanford Tank Waste
Operations in support of the Waste
Treatment and Immobilization Plant, US
We are part owner of Washington River
Protection Solutions (WRPS), the prime
contractor managing retrieval and transfer
of liquid waste in the Hanford Site tankfarms. The principal objectives of thecontract are to:• Develop and implement optimization ofHigh Level Waste (HLW) retrieval,transfer, and conditioning• Maintain and upgrade the infrastructure
to enable HLW retrieval and transfer
between tanks and to WTP• Retrieve and evaporate liquids from the
double-shell tanks (DST)• Retrieve wastes from single shell tanks(SSTs) in preparation for closure• Prevent Columbia River contamination• Management of environmental, nuclear
and criticality assessment

Case study: Big Rock Point
Performed D&D at the 67 MW Big Rock
Point Nuclear Plant under a fixed-pricecontract with Consumers Energy• Management, handling, removal anddisposal of app. 28,000 tons of material• Design and licensed a 10CFR71 Type-B
packaging system for road/rail transportand disposal of the reactor vessel• The removal, packaging, transportation,and disposal of the 35-ton RPV Head
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Case Studies: Asia PacificCase Study: Fukushima, Japan
Dual train radioactive water treatment
system capable of processing ~ 1500m3(396,000 gallons) per day.
• Removes over 62 nuclides to below thelimits of detection (Notably, levels
below World Health Organization
drinking levels)• Cs-134/137 were reduced by over5 orders of magnitude• In some instances Sr-90 removal
exhibited decontamination factors as
high as 1 billion• Developed HICs and storage techniques
to mitigate hydrogen buildup• Initial system, capable of processing ~750m3 per day, was designed andconstructed in a matter of months inorder mitigate further hazards underemergency conditions

Case Study: Haiyang Nuclear Power
Plant, China
Design and build activities for a Site
RadWaste Treatment Facility (SRTF) havebeen used at the Haiyang Nuclear Power
Plant in Shandong Province, China since2010. During this time, our team beganwork to design and build a system capableof handling the radiological waste
treatment needs associated with theAP1000 reactor plant.

Case Study: Yangjiang Nuclear Power
Plant, China
Yangjiang Units are Chinese CPR1000 PWR
reactors. Atkins designed and supplied theliquid waste processing system (TEU) andcomplimentary solid waste systems (TES).
The system will reduce the liquid effluent
discharges to less than 1/2 of China’s
current national standard for inland
reactor plants; meeting liquid discharge
limits of >37 Bq/Liter.

The entire work scope included thedesign, fabrication, installation andcommissioning of:• Worked within numerous regulatory
requirements & various agencies• Waste handling and management
facility; includes reduction and storage
capabilities.
• Facility licensing and management oflicensing activities (PSAR, FSAR, Cask
and HICs).
• Nuclear Island mobile water treatment
system, waste disposal equipment (HICand dewatering system).

• Site Rad-waste Treatment Facility(Includes waste reduction and storage
capabilities)• Facility licensing: PSAR, FSAR, Cask andHigh Integrity Containers (HIC)• Nuclear Island mobile water treatment
system, waste disposal equipment (HICand dewatering system)

Case Study: Rokkasho, Japan
Atkins and the Vitreous State Laboratory
Invented & Patented the Redistribution
Method to Manage Yellow Phase glass
Formation in support of waste
vitrification at Rokkasho.
• Waste loading (the amount ofradioactive waste by volume)
increased from 21 wt% to 34 wt%• Optimization increased by 60% Waste
Processing Capacity;• The new proccessing capability willsave $ Billions in Lifecycle costs

Atkins Liquid
Radwaste Systems arecapable of producing
clean water tonon-detectableradioactive levels

14Case Studies: United Kingdom,Middle East and Europe

Case Study: Barakah, UAE
Contracted by KHNP to design,
manufacture, test, and supply the Liquid
Radwaste Systems for BNPP Units 1&2 andUnits 3&4.
Equipment consists of:
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Feed Control System
Ozonation System
Microfiltration System
Ultrafiltration System
Reverse Osmosis System
Ion Exchange System
Concentrate Feed System
Sample System
Control System

Case Study: Barakah, UAE
Management Consulting - ESPS provided
SME Team Support to Nuclear Atkins
Assystem Alliance; sub-consultants to WS
Atkins & Partners Overseas.
The team evaluated the following:• Best Practice Benchmarking• Retrospective Checklist/review ofSupplied Components (ENEC)• Procedure Validation/Quality Assurance• Process Effective evaluations• UAE Nuclear Regulator Interface
assistanceCase Study: Magnox
While operating Magnox the site(s) Atkins
established and implement programs
dedicated to the safe processing andstorage of LLW, ILW and HLW. Atkins also
managed site operations at active nuclear
power plants and sites undergoing
decommissioning.
• Sludge waste retrieval, processing andpackaging for storage• Managed operating activities associatedwith power generation anddecontamination and decommissioning
projects• Established waste management
infrastructure including ILW, and HLW(SNF) going into storage or reprocessing• Managed transportation and individual
licenses associated with moving waste
in the UK15

AP 1000 Haiyang Site Radioactive Waste
Treatment Facility (SFTF)•

On Site radioactive waste segregationand processing which is expandable
based on volume•

Reduced operating costs verses
baseline methods•

Reduced secondary waste improving
economics of new nuclear power plant
operations•

Training and turnover of facility forcomplete operation by Chinese client

Super-compactor room

Control room

Lidding and decontamination

Drum storage

High Integrity Container storage

Waste drum import/export

Drum sorting/pre-compaction

Truck loading bay
16Rad Waste Management Technology

Liquid waste processing

Drum handling and radiation scanning

Cementation and grouting

Vitrification

De-watering

Melters (recycling metals)

Gloveboxes
Super-compactor

Steam reforming
17Rad Waste Transportation and Containers

Transportation by road

Transportation by rail

Fuel transfer cask

Transportation by waterTransfer casks for all waste classifications

Vitrified glass container

Steel liners

Concrete radiation vaults

Poly liners

Shielded transfer box

Multiple large components transferred by barge

18Waste Management Options•

Turn Key waste management facility designand construction which meets National
regulations in all aspects•

Support with in country approval andlicensing•

Proven construction and operations usedworld-wide•

Complete training and qualification program•

Expertise in long term storage andrepository facilities•

Above: Centralized disposal cell (near surface)
for Class A, B &C waste
Below: Above ground interim spent fuel storage facility

Supporting nations to develop centers of
excellence for radioactive waste processing
and disposal

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Disposal LLW
Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) is defined by the disposal facility, andis based primarily on guidelines set by governing entities.
Operations at a landfill disposal facility will typically include threeverification levels to ensure the WAC is within compliance:•

Basic characterization,•

Conformance verification,•

On site verification.

Backfill for voids

20Thank you
If you’d like to find out more visit:www.atkinsglobal.com© Atkins except where stated otherwise
Published by Atkins Group Communication, February 201621