VEOLIA NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS (VNS) | ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Left: Neomab
● The management of more complex waste streams that have previously been unaddressed, including a significant amount of so-called “problematic” waste with no known or existing disposal routes.
● The need for more trained and qualified staff to handle the increasing workload.
Without addressing the capacity issues in waste measurement, and decommissioning, waste programs risk being delayed due to a lack of measurement capability. Additionally, the need for new techniques and innovations to assess, characterise, and manage the problematic waste streams in the legacy stockpile adds further complexity. This bottleneck in waste measurement and characterisation could lead to delays, longer programs, undermined efficiency and increased costs. The investment required to provide additional capacity will be a fraction of the potential costs incurred by these delays.
Seeking solutions: Collaboration and complementary expertise To overcome these challenges, a multifaceted solution is necessary. Firstly, enhancing university programs and increasing the number of graduates in nuclear-related courses could help address the workforce shortages in the long term. Secondly, collaboration with outside industries and countries that possess relevant expertise, capability, and equipment can provide valuable support to the UK’s nuclear sites, decommissioning programs, and waste campaigns. By leveraging existing knowledge and resources, the industry can avoid potential bottlenecks and delays, ultimately reducing costs and improving efficiency. Just some examples of such collaboration are; ● Veolia’s GeoMelt®
vitrification technology, which
effectively encapsulates various waste materials into glass blocks. This technology has been successfully implemented in collaboration with Veolia and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Lab.
● NEOMAB – a mobile laboratory which functions as a “lab in a container.” Designed by a community of over 300 labs across the Veolia Group, this mobile lab is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and staffed by trained experts – all of which can be adapted to meet customer requirements. Veolia also operates ANDRA sites in France, including the provision of waste characterisation and measurement
services through their accredited laboratory which has the capacity for 500 m3
of space and handles around
20,000 analyses annually. This mobile laboratory model could be adapted to provide nuclear measurement and characterisation capabilities in the UK, offering the necessary capacity and expertise to support sites, decommissioning projects, and specific waste campaigns across the country. Furthermore, VNS has developed methodologies for measuring tritium and carbon-14 in metal and concrete, treating mercury, managing asbestos, and more.
● Veolia’s extensive expertise in testing and developing new techniques related to assessing contaminants in water and hazardous wastes can be harnessed to address the challenges faced by the UK nuclear industry. This experience is showcased at the Ellesmere Port incinerator facility, where Veolia handles approximately 5,000 m3
of
Normally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) waste annually, along with other low-level waste streams.
● In addition to those mentioned, innovative collaborations encompass various technologies. One such technology is TAWARA-RTM (TAp WAter RAdioactivity - Real Time Monitoring), an online detector capable of measuring Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation. Developed by the CAEN Company and the University of Padova, and performance tested by Veolia Nuclear Solutions (VNS), this technology was initially designed for measurements on tap water, but potential uses were quickly found in the nuclear industry and in the event of a serious accident.
In conclusion By collaborating with the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors, both within the UK and across Europe, the nuclear industry can tap into a broader pool of knowledge and resources. This collaboration can provide the necessary expertise, capabilities, and equipment to support the industry’s decommissioning programs, waste campaigns, and ongoing operations. By engaging in discussions, fostering collaboration, and bringing together the right people, the industry can avoid potential logjams and ensure the successful implementation of its plans. Solutions are available, and it is essential to leverage the expertise and capabilities of both the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors to navigate these challenges and pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future. ■
Dr. Gareth Peel Director of Waste Management Veolia Nuclear Solutions
David Loughborough Independent Consultant
Julien Robert Laboratory Director Veolia Nuclear Solutions
www.nuclearsolutions.veolia.com
If you would like to contact VNS to discuss any of the topics within this article please email:
nuclearsolutions.comm@
veolia.com
www.neimagazine.com | December 2023 | 19
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