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British Nuclear Group takes massive steps to improve silo safety
NEWLY installed cavity sump emptying systems are significantly improving safety within Magnox swarf storage silos, following key work performed as part of the plants ongoing live safety case.
Key milestones in this challenging task have been completed ahead of programme, with safe installation of the new system on Compartment ten in October, and Compartment nine, in December. The new equipment improves the management of any potential liquor leakages from the silo into the secondary containment, providing robust capability to safely transfer leaked liquor back into the silo storage compartments.
The dedicated project team performed a full investigation of the problems with existing equipment before designing an innovative and fit-for-purpose solution. Full-scale trials were carried out on local test rig facilities to replicate the system installation and local conditions. These identified improvements prior to final installation and ensured that everybody involved fully understood all activities prior to implementation. This detailed planning and preparation resulted in full installation on two compartments, right first time, with no accidents or incidents.
Challenged to improve in respect of schedule, cost and dose the team achieved these improvements in style on all three fronts. The new scheme cut two years off the installation schedule, with direct savings of over £2.5million and a collective radiation dose reduction of 3,500 millisieverts.
The early installation also significantly reduced the risk of radioactive discharges to the environment in the event of containment losses and the innovative approach of the team demonstrated the best of our company values, whilst producing a fit-for-purpose solution fulfilling the vision of \'faster, smarter, safer\'. Further benefits also included removing an 18 month replacement period for the system and removing the requirement for installing further shielding.
Byron Smith, head of delivery for the plant, said: "This innovative project has solved a major challenge in a high profile area, saving time, dose and money. It is testimony to the sheer talent and drive of the team, from the designers who came up with the idea, to those who developed the installation method and safely lowered the equipment into the depths of the plant between the primary and secondary containment walls. In the future there will be other challenges; this team are ready to meet them head on."
