Detritiation Furnace Concept Design

Description

The UKAEA is currently exploring the possibility of constructing a new thermal detritiation facility based upon existing technology used in the Materials Detritiation Facility (MDF) at the Culham Science Center. These investigations are sought to identify opportunities to reduce the amount of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) which is sent for long term storage in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). The new thermal detritiation facility would be capable of accepting larger items for detritiation, be designed for a higher throughput, be loaded and operated remotely and have more flexible operating limits (including temperature and air flow) to cope with expected future demands. Ideally, the furnace at the heart of the thermal detritiation facility will be Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) equipment, or COTS with minor modification. Lot 1: The UKAEA is currently exploring the possibility of constructing a new thermal detritiation facility based upon existing technology used in the Materials Detritiation Facility (MDF) at the Culham Science Center. These investigations are sought to identify opportunities to reduce the amount of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) which is sent for long term storage in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). The new thermal detritiation facility would be capable of accepting larger items for detritiation, be designed for a higher throughput, be loaded and operated remotely and have more flexible operating limits (including temperature and air flow) to cope with expected future demands. Ideally, the furnace at the heart of the thermal detritiation facility will be Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) equipment, or COTS with minor modification. The desired outcome of this Prior Information Notice is for the UKAEA to understand the limits and opportunities available with COTS furnaces across the supply chain. This is intended to ensure that the thermal detritiation facility concept design is both achievable and affordable.