Deliveries at MRF - Studsvik

LATEST NEWS FROM STUDSVIK UK LTD
NO. 05 | February 2010
Deliveries at MRF
Progress on new waste consignments
World Class Safety
Studsvik presented with safety certificate
Meet the Team
Departmental profile of Studsvik’s southern office

A winter view from the Simonside Hills near Rothbury
Photographer: Kevin Dodd, Principal Engineer & Environment Manager

y Sam Usher, President
Welcome to 2010!
CONTENTS FEB 2010
World class safety ..............4
Before I look forward to a new year, I
would like to reflect on some of our
achievements in Studsvik from last year.
Firstly, and most importantly I would like
to recognise our safety performance,
which continued and improved on the
high standards Studsvik has set here. I am
very pleased that the level of personal
safety observations has increased
significantly over the year, and that
this is an encouraging measure of the
responsibility we each take in terms of
looking after our own and others safety
at work. However we must maintain
vigilance and I encourage all within the
company to use the Sharepoint based
system.
The highlight for Studsvik was the
opening in September of the Studsvik
MRF, a major milestone not only for
Studsvik but for the industry as a whole.
In this edition of Studsvik Info you will
read more about the progress made in
the operations of the facility, which I am
pleased about – there is a good story to
tell here (Page 7).
I would also like to recognise the
strengthening, both technically and
commercially, of our AWE business over
the year, and we continue to receive
strong feedback from our customer. You
can read more about our Southern Office
team inside.
Last year was a time of change for
Studsvik, and I want to recognise the
efforts put in by the whole company
in what was at times a difficult and
challenging year, and in ensuring that the
legacy issues we have had are now put
behind us. This gives us a firm foundation
on which to move forward into 2010, and
everyone in the organisation can now be
focused clearly on moving forward.
We have a number of exciting prospects
this year, ranging from opportunities
across the business, including at AWE, the
Studsvik MRF, LLWR and our nuclear vent
engineering business. The Studsvik group
is committed to our long term success,
and indeed itself has a number of exciting
opportunities, some of which are detailed
in this edition of Studsvik Info. So I would
like to invite you all to look forward to a
successful 2010, founded on our Studsvik
core business, and with all of us acting
consciously in accordance with our
Studsvik Values.
MRF gets educational . ..... 4
Nuclear clean up .............. 5
Calleva Park departmental
profile .............................. 6
International news............ 8
Cumbria floods ................ 9
Studsvik 2010 fitness
challenge ...........................10
Studsvik Info is published by Studsvik UK
Ltd to promote up to date information on
its activities.
Responsible under British Law: Sam Usher.
Editor: Amanda Astrop
T: +44 191 482 7152
Email: amanda.astrop@studsvik.co.uk
Address: Studsvik UK Ltd, Unit 14, Princes
Park, 4th Avenue, Team Valley Trading
Estate, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear,
NE11 0NF
Printing: Prontaprint
Coverpicture: Delivery of waste
consignments to the Studsvik MRF.
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Studsvik News
World class safety
Re-kit projects at AWE have achieved 1
million man hours without a lost time
incident.
Studsvik has been presented with a
certificate of recognition for being a
key partner in delivering the projects
in what the CEO described as a world
class safety performance. Mark Bockle,
Engineering Manager, collected the award
in a breakfast presentation on behalf of
Studsvik UK.
With assurance being one of our values,
safety is a top priority here at Studsvik
and it is with great achievement we have
accepted this award.
Congratulations to everyone who has
contributed to this excellent recognition!
MRF gets thumbs up from
senior educationalists
Studsvik breeze through vent
replacement project
Studsvik has successfully completed a
challenging project in which Studsvik
partnered with JGC, a well established
M&E Contractor on the Dounreay site.
Studsvik was responsible for producing
a full design suite package for the
mechanical ventilation, control and
instrumentation elements of the project
with JGC carrying out the Electrical design.
The project as a whole consists of a
network of fans, electrical infrastructure,
supports, ducts, chambers and stacks
which will vent the airflow during
the next stages of cleaning out and
dismantling the key plants that made
up the Fuel Cycle Area. This area was the
part of the Dounreay site in the 1950s,
where nuclear fuels were assembled,
dissolved, examined and re-assembled
in support of Britain’s research and
development of nuclear energy.
Left to Right: Dr Sarah Green, Sam Usher, Helen
Gudgeon, Professor Peter McCaffery at the
Studsvik MRF.
Studsvik were responsible for the
replacement of the existing single main
Fuel Cycle Area extract system with
two number new systems. Each one
comprises a new free standing steel
stack with duplicate centrifugal fan
sets (variable speed drives), unfiltered
inbleed system, control building, stack
monitoring building and ancillaries.
Studsvik also provided an additional fan
filter system to hold the existing extract
duct under depression.
Tim O’Brian, Director of JCG was
pleased with Studsvik’s capability,
“Studsvik provided a professional
service throughout this major £7.5m
contract. They demonstrated their
ability to overcome technical challenges,
and provide innovative designs whilst
maintaining programme.” Well done to
everyone involved in this project.
“Working with local schools,
colleges and the University
of Cumbria is one of our
objectives over the next year.”
Senior figures from the world of higher
education in Cumbria toured Studsvik
UK’s newly-opened metal recycling
facility at Lillyhall near Workington.
Studsvik welcomed many leading local
educationalists including:
- Professor Peter McCaffery, Vice
Chancellor of the University of Cumbria;
- Dr Sarah Green, Principal Lecturer in
Sustainable Engineering at the university’s
Learning Gateway at Energus;
- Helen Gudgeon, Progression and
Curriculum Manager for Cumbria Higher
Learning.
“I was delighted to welcome our guests
and explain how the recycling process
actually works,” said Sam Usher, President.
“Working with local schools, colleges and
the University of Cumbria is one of our
objectives over the next year.
“Recovery and recycling of the metal
components here in Cumbria saves
primary resources and reduces the
adverse environmental impacts
associated with the long-term storage of
unremediated low level nuclear waste,”
said Dr Sarah Green, who is launching a
new University of Cumbria Foundation
Degree in Engineering at the Learning
Gateway (West) in Energus.
Helen Gudgeon added: “With the ever
increasing take-up of the new diplomas,
Studsvik can offer opportunities for
site visits for school-based students to
experience operations in the nuclear
engineering industry.” Stay posted for
updates on how the MRF Education Hub
develops throughout this year!
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Studsvik delivers 98% waste reduction
Studsvik is delivering real environmental benefits for the nuclear industry with a massive
98% size reduction in waste treatment processing, at the Metals Recycling Facility.
The delivery, which was processed in October, consisted of 12 half height ISO containers
and is now less than 98% its original size. The waste consignment would have normally
been disposed of directly at LLWR, and instead was recycled and released into the local
scrap market.
The approximate volume of waste before treatment totalled 215m 3 . This has now been
recycled and the total volume of secondary LLW waste which was returned for disposal
was a mere 0.5m 3 . This has provided a decrease in waste volume for the Low Level Waste
Repository, which is a huge achievement for the Studsvik MRF in demonstrating our
volume reduction capabilities for metallic Low Level Waste.
The Studsvik MRF facility received six shipments of radioactive waste throughout
December, all for decontamination. The deliveries consisted of 2 large vessels from
Babcock Marine along with other miscellaneous shipments of leaded items.
Real environmental benefits: Mike McMullen and
Alan Matear with the 12 ISO containers which have
now been recycled into the five drums.
The MRF also received 4 consignments of miscellaneous waste from LLWR arising from
a number of different sites, opening and establishing the waste routes to MRF. These
are currently being treated at the MRF and our recycled waste is put back into the scrap
metal market.
The Studsvik MRF receives delivery of large vessels from Babcock Marine to be recycled.
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Departmental Profile
Studsvik
@
Calleva Park
Meet the team at the Southern Office
Studsvik’s UK business is split over
four sites; Gateshead, MRF, Preston &
Calleva Park. Studsvik Info decided to
dig deeper to find out more about the
offering at each site and we begin with
our most Southern office at Calleva Park
in Aldermaston, which deals with over
one third of the UK’s business.
The office is situated on a small, modern
business park adjacent to the AWE site
at Aldermaston in Berkshire. Studsvik’s
team is split between our own offices
at Calleva Park and the large client
site adjacent. Working to the Studsvik
values, the team puts safety first with
regular safety observations and no
lost time incidents since the office
opened in 2007. In November Studsvik
was presented with a certificate of
recognition from AWE for being a key
partner in delivering essential projects
which had achieved 1 million man
hours without a lost time incident. Their
CEO described it as a world class safety
performance.
The Team:
Our team incorporates a whole
range of skilled professionals
including:
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Engineering Managers
RPA’s
Projects Technical Advisors
Characterisation Managers
Principal Engineers
EC&I Engineers
Senior Engineers
CAD Engineers
The varied workforce means Studsvik
can provide all its services out of Calleva
Park, from engineering design to building
services and waste management. Key
customers serviced from Calleva Park
include Babcock Marine and AWE,
along with many smaller clients such as
Chevron, Bruker, Berkeley and Bradwell.
Studsvik has had long term success
based at Calleva Park with many ongoing
projects as well as a durable future order
book. In May 2009, Studsvik was awarded
a 50 week contract to design and install a
number of replacement chillers across six
facilities at a defence establishment. The
project is now well underway, with design
now almost complete for all facilities and
successful installation undertaken on
three facilities.
Some other recent projects out of Calleva
Park have included two design and build
projects for HVAC and control systems,
including detailed design, management
of installation and commissioning. This
work has been undertaken in security
The Studsvik Offices at Calleva Park, Aldermaston

Studsvik engineers loading the UCTP flasks prior to transport to Sweden for treatment.
sensitive areas of the client’s site and
the customer feedback has been highly
encouraging. Additional AWE projects
have included providing design solutions
and resources to facilities for nuclear vent
and building services projects.
As with all sites, the southern office
utilises our international resources with
many waste management projects
involving treatment at our Swedish plant
in Nyköping. Over the last three years,
Studsvik has successfully transported and
treated over 250 tonnes of contaminated
metallic waste from Devonport Royal
Dockyard via our Swedish facility. One of
these projects included the first ever UK
overseas transport of oversize items, with
the shipment of two used core transport
packages. Our Swedish plant has recently
completed treatment of other waste
items which had never previously been
undertaken in the UK.
James Coulson, Southern Regional
Manager, comments “The southern office
has been a great success story for Studsvik
UK, growing from nothing in April 2007 to
a forecast turnover of over £4M for 2010.
This success is due to a number of factors,
not least of which is the great reputation
we’ve earned for Studsvik, which is a credit
to the individuals who work here.”
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

International
UK samples
tested in Sweden
Studsvik Nuclear AB has received
a consignment of irradiated steel
samples from NNL/BE for laboratory
examinations. The material, which is
non-fissile, was sent by MS Atlantic
Osprey and arrived at Studsvik in
the middle of November. After the
examinations are completed, the
samples will be returned to the UK.
All parties involved have
authorisations and approvals from
the relevant Authorities in both the
UK and in Sweden to perform the
transport and the examinations.
Good progress in
decommissioning
project at NPP
Obrigheim
The dismantling works within the
decommissioning project of the
machinery house in NPP Obrigheim
started in the beginning of 2009.
In total 2,620 tons of machinery
and plant equipment was to be
dismantled. Until November 1,
935 tons have successfully been
completed.
The components dismantled so far
include a feed water storage tank
with 2 degasification containers
weighing an overall 70 tons and 4
high pressure remunerator’s weighing
approx 26.8 tons each. Currently the
condensater (approx. 600 tons) is
being dismantled, which is one of the
last big components.
Another challenge is to avoid cross
contamination, therefore a certain
succession has to be strictly obeyed
when treating the material and
components. The project will be
completed on time in May 2010.
Studsvik plays host for Nuclear’s future
50 people from 12 countries gathered at Studsvik AB in the November darkness to
be brightened by nuclear fuel technical discussions in the first SCIP II meeting. The
5-year SCIP success made it possible to propose SCIP II, a new 5-year programme with
focus on the fuel pellet behaviour and the response has been better than expected.
There are two new participant countries, Russia and Norway, in addition to all the
participants from SCIP. SCIP II is thus the second largest OECD/NEA project, only the
Halden project is larger which has been running for more than 30 years. The increased
participation implies that the programme is exceeding the original budget and as
clients requested more examinations from this meeting we foresee this as an excellent
use of the money in our laboratories.
The meeting was very successful and offered not only the opportunity to let several
Studsvik people to present results and plans. More than 40 persons visited the Hot
Cell Laboratory (HCL) to study the LOCA (Loss Of Coolant Accident) test equipment,
built on behalf of NRC in US and the Laser Ablation, an analysis method to study the
spatial resolution of isotopes in solid matter, such as fuel or control rods. One of the
conference rooms at Horsvik was rebuilt before the SCIP summer meeting and was
further improved before the fall meeting to allow for the large number of participants.
Both the location and the services worked really well and Studsvik look forward to the
next five years.
The SCIP members at Studsvik AB in Sweden.
Savannah River contract for TTT
At the 21st Annual Weapons Complex Monitor Waste Management and Clean-up
Decisionmakers’ Forum at Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, Studsvik, Inc. announced
that THOR Treatment Technologies LLC, a joint venture between Studsvik Inc. and URS
Corporation, Washington Division, (TTT) had been awarded a contract valued up to
$55 million for Studsvik’s proprietary fluidized bed steam reforming process (THOR ® )
in the treatment of Tank 48 waste at the DOE-Savannah River Site (SRS).
The contract scope includes providing detailed engineering and construction of the
core processing components for an on-site THOR® processing facility at SRS to treat
the Tank 48 waste.
Lewis Johnson, President of Studsvik Inc. states: “Once again, after an exhaustive
demonstration of our proprietary technology, THOR® is proven to be the safest and
most cost beneficial technology to resolve long standing, problematic waste streams.
We thank all involved in the rigorous selection effort and look forward to returning
Tank 48 to service.”
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Events and Communities
Cumbria hit by floods
Workington made international headlines in November 2009 after floods swept away
the town’s bridges and engulfed hundreds of homes with eight foot high water after the
heaviest day of rainfall ever recorded in the UK.
Unfortunately the Studsvik sponsored Workington Cricket Club was one of the local
attractions hit by the floods. The water rose up to the height of the clubhouse door
and at its worst it was level with 8 foot metal fence. With a large amount of the cricket
equipment devastated, the club are currently working on a rescue plan to achieve a
playable season throughout 2010.
Thankfully, Studsvik UK’s Metal Recycling Facility (MRF) is located on an elevated site
within the boundaries of the Lillyhall Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town and
escaped the destruction. “A couple of our employees were personally caught up in the
flooding but all we could do was watch the waters rising elsewhere and be grateful that
we were spared the devastation,” explained Mike McMullen, MRF Facility Manager.
“It’s certainly been a hammer blow to the area and who knows how long it will be before
it gets back to some semblance of normality, both operationally and economically.”
However this meant we were able to lend assistance to the locals who were in need of
aid. Although residents of the Northside area of Workington were not directly hit by the
flooding, they were cut off from the remainder of the town due to the collapse of the
2 main road bridges. Only a footbridge joined the two areas and residents faced long
detours to be able to get to town, local schools and supermarkets.
The Northside Community Centre acted as the main relief hub for the area and was
responsible for the distribution of essential food supplies to local residents, many of who
are elderly, from a temporary storeroom set up in the building. Goods such as groceries,
bread, tea and coffee, pet food, toiletries and clothing were donated to residents by the
local supermarkets in the town as many local people were unable to get access to the
shops. Studsvik assisted in this by collecting the goods nightly from the supermarkets
and delivering them to the Community Centre for 10 days using the Studsvik MRF van. A
big thanks to Peter Humes, MRF Operative, who was the rescue driver!
The Grafters Club Christmas Party
Every Christmas Studsvik’s favourite charity, the Grafters Club, celebrate the season
with a Christmas Party. This time it was at the Centre for Life on Saturday 5th
December. It was a huge success with dancing at the disco and Santa arrived to give
out some presents. This year the children also had activity stations which included
spinning plates and creepy crawlies.
The children’s favourites were the
stick insects, cockroaches, mice and
snails while the parents watched
from the distance. Studsvik supported
the party by donating gifts for
competition prizes which the children
were thrilled with. Studsvik are
continually involved with the Grafters
Club and if you would like to make a
donation or find out more info please
contact Amanda Astrop.
Observation Awards
Our monthly safety observation
award gives everyone the chance
to speak up about health and
saftey issues in the company. £50
is awarded to the winner with an
additional £50 donation to a charity
of choice. Recent winners include;
OCT AWARD - Vic Searle
NOV AWARD – Amanda Astrop
DEC AWARD - Aiden Bell
Reservations can also be positive, so
keep in mind if you witness any good
working practises!
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Studsvik People
Gary Murphy
MRF Production Manager
What is your current job role?
Currently I work as the MRF Production
Manager.
What do you do in your day to day job
activities?
I am accountable for the implementation
of safe and efficient performance of
all production operations and related
activities at the MRF.
Can you give us a snapshot of your
career so far.
I worked for four years as a Time
Served Fabricator with British Steel in
Workington. I then went on to be a
Fabrication Shop Project Engineer for
five years. Previously, I have had roles
with Sellafield Sites Ltd working as a Site
Project Safety Engineer in Construction,
where I was involved in a wide variety
of projects. I also worked as a Technical
Support Engineer at Sellafield for two
years based at the Sellafield MOX plant.
For 11 years I worked at UKAEA/Sellafield
Ltd as a Building Supervisor mainly
focussing on the WAGR Decommissioning
Project.
What are your hopes and aspirations?
To make the MRF a business success.
What has been the highlight of your
career to date?
Successfully helping to prepare the MRF to
accept and process Low Level Waste.
Do you have any hobbies?
Despite living nearby Egremont, I am a
keen Liverpool supporter and I attend up
to 10 games in a season normally. I played
semi-pro football for Workington Reds
in the Northern Premier League in the
1980’s as well as playing for Cleator Moor
Celtic for 20 yrs. Golf is another hobby
of mine, I play at Seascale golf club with
Gary at the Metals Recyling Facility in Lillyhall
a handicap of 16. I also enjoy spending
time with my family, my three sons,
Todd, Ben & Robbie and my wife Janice.
New Arrival!
Fancy a Challenge for 2010?
Fancy a new challenge for 2010? Studsvik UK plan to bike and hike in the Three Peaks
Challenge and the Coasts & Castles bike ride!
If you’re a hiker - Paul Redhead is trying to get a team together to complete the
national three peaks challenge. The challenge involves travelling “North to South” taking
on Ben Nevis first then Scaffel Pike then on to Snowdon. A rough guide to typical times
for fit walkers taking on a 24 hour challenge is generally:
Congratulations to
Johan Langham and
his partner Gemma
who has recently had
a baby girl named
Maisie. Maisie was
born at 07.25 on 9th
December weighing
at 8lbs and 13oz.
Congratulations Johan!
Climbing Ben Nevis: 5 - 6 hours. Driving from Fort William to the Lake District: 6 - 6.5
hours . Climbing Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head and return to start point: 3.5 - 4.5 hours.
Driving time from Wasdale to Pen-y-Pass: 4.5 - 5 hours. Climbing Snowdon via Pyg Track
and return to start point: 4 - 4.5 hours.
Anyone interested please contact Paul Redhead and for further information visit http://
www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/.
If you’re a biker - Then why not take on the Coast & Castles bike ride in the early
summer?
The track is Edinburgh to Tynemouth on a 200 mile trek, of which 39 are traffic-free.
The route passes a plethora of historic sites including the world famous Lindisfarne and
Bamburgh Castle. The cycle takes three days (Fri to Sun) with the first overnight stay in
Melrose and the second in either Beadnell or Seahouses. For more info please contact
Mike Hooley or visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cyclenetwork/long-distance-rides/england/coast-and-castles.
Why not test your fitness and do both! Watch out for further information.
10
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010

Let it Snow
For the first winter in over 30 years Britain has experienced a big freeze, with over 8 inches of snow and
temperatures as low as minus -14C in some areas. Drivers were advised to only make essential trips, as
councils gave warning that they could run out of grit. Most of the country grounded to a halt but for those
who kept on moving here are some of your best photos
STUDSVIK NEWS No. 05 | February 2010 11

Studsvik UK Ltd
Head Office
Unit 14, Princes Park, 4th Avenue,
Team Valley Trading Estate,
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear,
NE11 0NF
T: +44 (0) 191 482 1744
F: +44 (0) 191 482 1747