2009 Report to Government on National Research and

facilities. The BTC has been renamed the Central Labora<strong>to</strong>ry. NNL does not own
these B13 and Central Labora<strong>to</strong>ry facilities but leases them from NDA and
operates them under the Sellafield SLC site licence (para 3.28). The contractual
arrangements are not currently the same in all its facilities although this is set <strong>to</strong>
change with the informal arrangements currently in place being progressively
replaced by more formal contracts. The time frame for this is not yet established,
although NNL considers that in the meantime the various interfaces could all be
managed.
5.8 B13 contains shielded caves and a range of instruments and is undergoing
refurbishment and improvements with the aim of ensuring it can continue <strong>to</strong> play
a role through <strong>to</strong> 2025. The availability of equivalent facilities after this date is
unclear though they will still be needed. The Central Labora<strong>to</strong>ry is not yet fully
commissioned. Phase 1 (gloveboxes, fumehoods and a graphite labora<strong>to</strong>ry) has
been commissioned. Phases 2 and 3, the MOX labora<strong>to</strong>ries and hot cells
respectively, have been in care and maintenance for 1-2 years. NNL is currently
preparing a business case for the commissioning of Phases 2 and 3, based on
HM Treasury Green Book guidance, and is hopeful the case will be accepted.
Emphasis is being put on demonstrating there is a demand for the facilities
proposed for Phases 2 and 3. NNL can provide, at least in outline, several
programmes which would require these facilities and its cus<strong>to</strong>mers, particularly
Sellafield Ltd., are starting <strong>to</strong> develop longer term projects, which would justify
commissioning. Even if fully commissioned, the Central Labora<strong>to</strong>ry will require
significant changes <strong>to</strong>, or further development of, its infrastructure (e.g.
installation of specialised controlled atmosphere gloveboxes; instruments for
characterisation of active samples) <strong>to</strong> carry out a research programme in
geological disposal comparable <strong>to</strong> those undertaken overseas.
5.9 Further commissioning and expansion of capability in NNL facilities will be
dependent on cus<strong>to</strong>mer demand and successful preparation of business cases <strong>to</strong>
support this demand (e.g. from NDA, SLCs and Research Councils).
5.10 While STFC and NNL have held discussions, CoRWM understands that there are
currently no plans <strong>to</strong> include any major facilities at the NNL under the auspices of
the STFC in order <strong>to</strong> ensure access for industry-independent R&D (CoRWM doc.
2443).
5.11 In general NNL has a limited equipment base for characterisation of radioactive
materials, funded either by cus<strong>to</strong>mers through specific projects or, in some
cases, through self-investment. The Central Labora<strong>to</strong>ry has only a limited range
of equipment and has few routes <strong>to</strong> expanding this. As a result, this facility is
significantly less well equipped than its overseas equivalents. This situation
arises because NNL makes an annual profit of £5-6M which is insufficient <strong>to</strong>
allow investment in high capital cost items, especially in a nuclear environment.
5.12 CoRWM understands that the management contrac<strong>to</strong>r for the NNL is required <strong>to</strong>
increase access <strong>to</strong> facilities for universities and other organisations that carry out
R&D. Although it is intended <strong>to</strong> provide access <strong>to</strong> allow fundamental research
funded by the Research Councils <strong>to</strong> be carried out, and discussions are in
progress, at present there is no mechanism by which the Research Councils can
fund university research in NNL facilities, particularly when it involves the
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 80 of 151