WASTE-INFORMED DECOMMISSIONING | DECOMMISSIONING & DISPOSAL
Quality Objectives (DQO), supported by the development of waste-led process wiring diagrams (following IAEA recommendations), are tools that we typically use to clearly map out whole lifecycle requirements, challenges and opportunities from waste retrieval/generation through to final disposal. This approach ensures that management and data collection requirements at each step of the decommissioning and waste management lifecycle are identified and given appropriate consideration, including non-technical requirements, wider interfaces such as compatibility with treatment/disposal route acceptance criteria and workface implementability. This also forms the starting point for identifying waste management options aligned with the requirement to minimise radioactive waste disposal volumes and implement appropriate characterisation to support optimised waste routing. Following a DQO-based approach allows for the development of underpinned, integrated strategies that consider technical and non-technical aspects, which can be de-risked at the earliest opportunity. Whether tackling nuclear waste or simple hedge trimmings in the garden, wiring diagrams can be developed to support a DQO exercise by identifying the long list of questions to support answering the problem statement. The wiring diagram methodology was developed by the IAEA and follows the waste management lifecycle steps from retrieval of a waste stream to final disposal. For that
waste stream, they will represent the baseline and potential alternative approaches for its management by identifying the needs, risks and opportunities associated with the implementation of these waste management approaches. The diagrams also become an extremely effective tool in communicating strategy preferences, challenges and opportunities to stakeholders. Additionally, the use of a DQO exercise will identify
any waste characterisation activities, such as waste characterisation on site, needed to support appropriate waste characterisation and disposability assessments for all waste types. This can include activities to demonstrate that some bulk demolition waste streams are non-radioactive (out of scope) to support the consignment of lower activity waste to appropriate treatment and disposal routes, and to support the management of higher activity waste pending – for example, segregation, treatment, conditioning, and interim storage – once a GDF becomes available. Moreover, a DQO exercise, whilst identifying desk-based studies, will also identify modelling/trial activities that if delivered will give a useful insight to the general approach. Practical work through trials, training and simulation to mock-up or functionally to test an idea saves time and money and can be vital in validating a detailed design. Trials can also be carried out to reduce the risks to a project and, if a minor modification is required, be rapidly implemented and tested with minimal impact on the programme. ■
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