A52 - Alpha Materials Laboratory - Research Sites Restoration Ltd

Winfrith Project Profiles - Issue: April 2002
A52 -
Alpha Materials Laboratory
Background
The Alpha Materials Laboratory (AML) was a two
story building, built in 1961/62 and commissioned in
1963, was used for the manufacture of mixed oxide
fuel for use in reactor physics experiments. In this
role the facility handled kilogram quantities of
plutonium, usually in oxide form, and throughout
its operational life many tonnes of plutonium passed
through the building. The AML ceased commercial
operations in the early 1990s.
Key Technical Challenges
This was the first time in a major plutonium facility
had been decommissioned and represented a
significant technical challenge.
The work involved the decontamination of suites of
gloveboxes and ventilation plant in a manner that
minimised the waste arisings.
Project Objective
The removal of all internal and external systems,
facilities and services including the demolition of
buildings and leave behind a green field site.
UKAEA’s Vision
To be recognised as world leaders in managing
decommissioning, environmental restoration and
fusion research.
UKAEA’s Mission
To restore the environment of our sites in a way
which is;
• safe and secure
• environmentally responsible
• value for money
• publicly acceptable.
Preparation for safe decontamination.
Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester Dorset DT2 8DH Tel: 01305 202020 Fax: 01305 202020
visit our web site: www.ukaea.org.uk

UKAEA Solutions
UKAEA recognised that the principal financial risk
to the project was the potential to generate large
volumes of plutonium contaminated material
(PCM) waste.
UKAEA let a competitive contract in which waste
optimisation was incentivised.
The bidding contractors were encouraged to bring
innovation to the project.
The contractor was required to work to UKAEA’s
safety management system and UKAEA provided
close supervision of the work.
Once the decontamination work was completed
to UKAEA’s standards, conventional demolition
techniques were used to remove the shell of
the building.
Contractors
UKAEA appointed AEA Technology as
decommissioning contractors for all the AML,
who mobilised in May 1996.
Outcome
The contract delivered a green field site with
no significant safety or environmental incidents.
The waste arisings were optimised.
Project Manager
Dave Smith
Dave Smith
Key Dates
The AML judged economically viable Early 1990s
Funding approved for
glovebox decommissioning
1990s
75 gloveboxes decommissioned 1990-1994
AEA Technology appointed as
decommissioning contractors 1996
Green field status achieved 1999
Decommissioning gloveboxes.