First Return of Reprocessed Intermediate Level Waste to Australia. Dr Therese Donlevy

Transcription

1 First Return of Reprocessed Intermediate Level Waste to Australia Dr Therese Donlevy 26 April 2016

2 Overview Background on Spent Fuel Shipments and Reprocessing Why Interim Storage at ANSTO Communications Intergovernmental Working Group Transport Planning Regulatory Approvals Safety and Security Operational Readiness Questions Loading HIFAR Spent Fuel for Shipment

3 Australia s research reactors: ANSTO s Spent Research Reactor Fuel The 10 MW HIFAR reactor operated from for radioisotope production & research The 100kW MOATA Reactor operated from 1961 to 1995 for research purposes Decision by Federal Government in 1997 to ship all spent fuel overseas for processing into a suitable waste form. Dounreay, Scotland, UK 2 shipments La Hague, France 4 shipments Savannah River, US 3 shipments HIFAR Research Reactor to US Lucas Heights, Sydney 9 spent fuel shipments sent overseas between FOUO MOATA Research Reactor

4 ANSTO Spent Fuel Shipments 1963 Dounreay 150 FA 1996 Dounreay 114 FA 1998 US SRS 240 FA 1999 COGEMA 308 FA 2001 COGEMA 360 FA 2003 COGEMA 344 FA 2004 COGEMA 276 FA 2006 US SRS 330 FA 2009 US SRS 159 FA Dec 2015 AREVA ILW Return 2281 Fuel Assemblies in 9 shipments (assessed under EPIP Act from 1996) Waste from reprocessing of 1288 spent HIFAR fuel elements to be returned from France The intermediate level waste must leave France by December 2015

5 Spent Fuel Management Leading the Way ANSTO (Australia) has NO LEGACY SPENT FUEL from HIFAR and Moata reactors OPAL Spent Fuel will be shipped for reprocessing on a regular basis First OPAL Spent Fuel shipment scheduled for 2018

6 What was the benefit? Radioisotope production for health Molybdenum-99: Technetium-99m Iodine-131 Neutrons for Science Materials investigations Southern hemisphere leadership in research reactor operation

7 Spent Fuel Reprocessing ANSTO s spent fuel reprocessed in combined batches with other spent fuel to remove Uranium and Plutonium (La Hague, France). ANSTO to receive radioactive equivalence of waste from reprocessing of 1288 spent fuel assemblies. 20 canisters of vitrified waste within a Type B container utilised internationally for such operations. An ISO container containing 6 cemented drums of lower activity technological waste. Waste is Intermediate Level Waste (ILW i.e. not heat generating), not High Level (HLW). Sellafield Spent Vitrified Fuel for Waste reprocessing, Canister (CSD-U) La Hague Waste Management from Spent Fuel Reprocessing, La Hague Vitrified Waste Storage, La Hague

8 Vitrified Intermediate Level Waste Spent fuel reprocessing waste is immobilised within a highly stable borosilicate glass matrix. radioactive elements bound to glass-forming elements to form a homogeneous waste product. Molten glass/waste mix poured into stainless steel canisters (CSD-U) & cooled. Canisters are welded closed and are ready for storage and transport. No possibility for any significant radionuclide mobility after a millions of years at storage temperatures below 100 o C. Canisters are loaded into a TN81 Transport and Storage Cask Vitrified Waste Canister (CSD-U) TN81 cask in storage

9 TN81 Dual Purpose Transport & Storage Cask The TN81 is a certified Type B cask which will be used for the transport and storage of the vitrified waste (CSD-U canisters). Can be used for transporting spent fuel & HLW (ANSTO waste is only ILW). Type B Packaging functions: Remove heat Protect against impact Containment of the radioactive contents Provide gamma and neutron shielding Criticality prevention Hold the waste canisters in place Help with handling and tie-down TN81 Cask 20 x CSD-U placed into TN L Total Volume 150 L Vitrified Waste Volume 500 kg Gross weight 0.43 m Diameter 1.34 m Height Top shock absorbing cover with aluminium flange bolted inside Primary lid Transport ring (impact limiter) 7.22 m Length 2.75 m Diameter 115 T 130 T in cradle/container Bottom shock absorbing cover

10 Technological Waste From spent fuel reprocessing - comprises gloves, overalls, laboratory glassware, plastic and small process equipment such as valves. Radioactivity is orders of magnitude less than that of vitrified waste and does not require the same protective packaging level. Waste compacted inside steel drums & cemented. Cemented drums are placed inside shielded cement over packs for transport and storage (CBF-C2). Six CBF-C2 containers are arranged in a metal frame and placed in IP2 certified ISO shipping container for secure transport.

11 Safety Record Proven nuclear transport safety record More than shipments of used fuel and high-level wastes since 1971 (over tonnes). No accidents in which a Type B transport cask containing radioactive materials has been breached or has leaked. Defence in depth for ILW in the TN81 Stable glass waste form Welded stainless steel CSD-U canister 20 cm thick steel TN81 cask Cask manufactured to Type B requirements

12 Why Interim Storage at ANSTO? Multi-year process for acceptance, siting, construction and regulatory approval of National Repository and Intermediate Level Waste Store Definite return date 2015 no postponement Government request to ANSTO for Interim Storage Proven experience in managing ILW Supporting infrastructure to securely manage the ILW

13 Interim Waste Store (IWS) Public Works Approval Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Approval ARPANSA Facility Licence for Siting and Construction then Interim Storage FOUO

14 Interim Waste Store (IWS)

15 Australia s returning Waste First Communications 2012

16 Two key communication themes running in parallel 1. Promote outcomes and benefits of nuclear science and ANSTO s work with a focus on nuclear medicine. 2. Transparency about the waste returning from France

17 March March - April April Managing Reputation Risk Planning Pre- Announcement Announcement Ongoing Stakeholder engagement Waste Return logistics Ongoing Stakeholder engagement 5 Strategic documented plans to deal with each stakeholder group Brief key local, state and federal MPs Brief shadows & local community stakeholders Informing staff, local community, general public and media Regulatory engagement Be responsive to media & stakeholder needs Communication and consultation is a key part of logistics planning Reinforce ANSTO s position as interim storage Ratified and endorsement internally and development of clear consistent messaging Explain project - meaning for community, Aus, International community & ANSTO Australia is a responsible global citizen. We benefit and we understand the responsibility ANSTO is capable of safety managing the waste on behalf of Australia Remember we have enjoyed the benefits ANSTO safely handles and transports nuclear materials every day. ANSTO is temporarily managing the waste for Australia Identify and engage with select media and key politicians ILW exclusive website increase ANSTO s profile Assist Govt. in taking the lead on announcement Engage all media Prep to update message Be transparent Reinforcing the established and proven benefits of nuclear. Safety of transportation internal case studies Continuous and reassuring safety messages with stakeholders locally and nationally Legislation prohibits ANSTO from being the national waste store for Australia

18 With benefits comes by-products

19 Ensure ongoing Government support Change of Government All levels of government clearly understand ANSTO s role and the value it delivers

20 Informing and engaging external audiences FOUO

21 Educating a new generation of informed stakeholders

22 Communications Long term Communications project Stakeholder mapping Local government (briefing packages, face-to-face) Federal government (ministerial and other briefs) Public (news articles, public briefings) Internal to ANSTO and tenants Non-government groups (e.g. Greenpeace) Public Website Information waste/index.htm Joint announcements around AREVA maritime transport

23 A long term engagement campaign to inform the community 31 months 1 May December 2015

24 Communications - Transport Specific notices for dates but no details of reason RMS Traffic Alert re road closures VMS advertising road closures Public notices for Port Kembla harbour closure General notices for return by end of December 2015 News articles Briefings (local councils along potential route(s)) Public website

25 Long term engagement with a broad audience Reached over 63 million people in 37 months

26 Managing stakeholder interest on its arrival 115 radio stories, plus 859 syndications 48 online stories 26 stories in print, including two front page stories 64 television news stories, plus 427 syndications.

27 Communications Outcome Mainly positive ANSTO is the best place for ILW management Government needs to progress the National Repository and Store It s OUR waste; We must manage it responsibly Waste arises ultimately from production of life-saving radiopharmaceuticals Some negative Highly radioactive therefore dangerous to the public

28 Intergovernmental Working Group Safe and secure transport of ILW from Port Kembla to ANSTO ANSTO Minister for Industry NSW Police Premier of NSW NSW Emergency Services

29 Intergovernmental Working Group Roads and Maritime Services Traffic Management Centre Fire and Rescue NSW Ambulance NSW NSW Health Port Authority of NSW NSW Ports NSW Police AFP ANSTO

30 Intergovernmental Working Group Sutherland Local Area Command Operational Control Crime Manager NSW Police Forward Commander - ANSTO State Planning Unit MEIG Traffic Tactical Commander Public Order Tactical Commander Project Planning FOUO

31 Intergovernmental Working Group NSW Police Wollongong Local Area Command Forward Commander - Port Kembla Convoy Traffic Commander, THPC Regional Highway Patrol Marine Area Command 3 x Forward Commander Marine

32 Transport Planning Considerations Port Operations Approvals for crane loading Contamination clearances of equipment Safety Briefings FOUO

33 Transport Planning Considerations Oversize, heavy (radioactive) cargo Securing of cargo Axle loadings (12-axle trailer) Road, overpass and bridge loadings (maximum and per axle) Width of roads and turnings Speed of convoy Road closures (safety and security) FOUO

34 Transport Planning Considerations

35 Transport Planning Considerations

36 Transport Planning Considerations Prior notice to Port Kembla Harbour users recreational fishers Minimisation of disruption to road users Low traffic density Choice of date Choice of time Avoid other Special Events FOUO

37 Transport Planning Considerations Transport within ANSTO Smaller trailer (7-axle and width) Gantry crane transfer of TN81 Road loading assessments Safety briefings FOUO

38 Transport Planning Considerations FOUO

39 Other Considerations Contractor Insurances void when dealing with Class 7 dangerous goods (radioactives) Extension of ANSTO Comcover insurances Extension of Commonwealth Deed for Nuclear Liability Additional arrangements for port holding companies Definition of Workplace under WHS Act 2012 Port Roadways ANSTO FOUO

40 Regulatory Approvals Road, Maritime Services (route and cargo) Traffic Management and Control Plan ARPANSA Validation of TN81 for transport in Australia ARPANSA Import Permit AMSA Validation of TN81 for transport in Australia ARPANSA Transport Safety (safety entire operation from arrival at port to arrival at ANSTO) Shipment Approval ARPANSA Transport Security Facility Licence for the Interim Waste Store Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Approval for transport of ILW from reprocessing

41 Waste form Radiation Safety Transport/Storage container Numerous radiation contamination checks between France and Australia Before and after loading waste to TN81 in France Before and after loading TN81 to trailer and ship in France In ship on arrival in Australia Before and after loading to trailer After offloading from trailer to Gantry and Interim Waste Store Dosimeters for proximity workers

42 Security vs Transparency Disclosure where possible Details kept need to know for as long as possible Items that would be public knowledge anyway e.g. name of ship disclosed It s a balancing act

43 Operational Readiness Familiarity / awareness of process for the project team Communicate responsibilities & manage expectations: all internal and external stakeholders involved Training: staff sent to Zwilag to witness TN81 handling, subject matter experts invited to ANSTO Practice, practice, practice: To-scale mock-up items built Review work instructions Dedicated staff: approval from line managers important to ensure availability for training etc Preparation: early delivery enable inventory checks and set up prior to cask arrival

44 Heavy crane lift (over 100 t) From trailer Across store Set-up for Interim Storage Dummy Cask Lifts Operational Readiness FOUO

45 Operational Readiness

46 Operational Readiness

47 Operational Readiness

48 FOUO

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50 Thanks NSW Emergency Services NSW Police Australian Federal Police NSW Ports Port Authority of NSW Toll Project Logistics Tutt-Bryant Heavy Lifting Gillespies Cranes

51 Thanks Waste Operations Engineering and Capital Projects Safety and Reliability Services Nuclear Operations Radiation Protection and Health Physics Site Services Facilities Management Government and International Liaison External Communications Security and Safeguards + apologies for those not mentioned here

52 Questions