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Preparations begin for Silos Maintenance Facility
Preparations are being made at Sellafield for the new multi million pound Silos Maintenance Facility (SMF). The removal of up to 27,000 tonnes of rubble heralds the first step in the on-site works of the SMF.
Project Manager Kevin Bell said: “This is another significant milestone for the project. Since gaining sanction to start the project, we have accelerated 3 months against the performance plan, have placed the main contract for design and are now making progress on the site.
“During the design process it can be difficult to see real progress however with the start of the site clearance work we have the physical evidence of progress for all to see.”
When completed, SMF will support the retrieval of historic waste from the Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS) and Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS). In particular, it will help the MSSS Silo Emptying Plant (SEP) retrieval machines by facilitating campaign tool changes, processing failed equipment, loading of new equipment and providing provision for testing of new equipment prior to deployment on the plant.
Head of Programme Delivery Calder Hall, Martin Brownridge, added: “This is a great example of utilizing land to support future high hazard reduction projects and the construction of new facilities. It represents a key milestone in the station’s history”.
Anthony Hewetson, Operations Manager for Decommissioning and Demolition Operations, said: “The Magnox Swarf Storage Silos and Pile Fuel Cladding Silo are priority decommissioning projects on the Sellafield site and this project will underpin the retrieval of historic nuclear wastes from these facilities. Sellafield Ltd is looking to accelerate the decommissioning of these plants. The completion of this first stage of the Silo Maintenance Facility project ahead of the schedule bodes well for our continued commitment to reducing high hazards on the Sellafield site.”
