nuclear-news

Bradwell nuclear wastes reclassified as “low level”: failed technology now used for disposal

Clacton & Frinton Gazette 27th June 2017, A CAMPAIGN group has described process used to dissolve the FEDs at
Bradwell as an “outrage” and an “insult”. Members of the Blackwater
Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) had their say on the process which saw
radioactive waste dissolved in acid at the site.

Chairman, Andy Blowers said: “It is nothing short of an outrage and an insult to the Blackwater
environment and communities that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
(NDA) persisted despite all the signs that dissolution with nitric acid was
a failing technology.” BANNG Secretary, Varrie Blowers added: “The NDA
obviously believes that the end justified the chaotic means. While FED
dissolution may not have finished, it is hard to imagine that anyone can
think that the FED at Bradwell has been dealt with successfully, given all
the operational difficulties and the outages experienced.”

BANNG believe the reason the process has now been completed is because of the
re-characterisation of the waste, rather than it being fully dealt with.
They point to only one third of Intermediate Level Waste being treated, as
opposed to the full amount, with two thirds being reclassified as Low Level
Waste. Barry Turner, Vice-Chair of BANNG, said: “The Bradwell FED
dissolution plant has turned out to be an expensive one-off and has been
used to dissolve only one-third of the waste and not the originally
expected 100 per cent.”   http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/15372952.Process_used_to_remove_radioactive_waste_an__outrage__and__insult__to_the_area__says_campaign_group/

June 30, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | UK, wastes