Corporate report

Direct Research Portfolio Annual Report 2017 to 2018

Published 27 March 2019

Introduction

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is responsible for cleaning up the legacy from the UK’s pioneering post-war nuclear programme.

From the late 1940s onwards, the country’s smartest scientists led the world with ground-breaking discoveries, gradually building a diverse collection of experimental facilities for the UK’s defences and, later, to provide electricity for its citizens.

Their work spanned 17 locations across the UK and included:

• dozens of prototype reactors
• 11 nuclear power stations
• scores of research labs
• fuel-manufacturing and enrichment facilities
• spent fuel reprocessing plants

Many of the designs were unique; producing radioactive wastes and spent fuel that no-one had ever dealt with before. Structures, pipework, container vessels and land became contaminated and were mostly left for a future generation to clean up.

Many years later, the NDA is dismantling this historical legacy, demolishing structures and preparing sites for future uses. The mission will stretch for another 100-plus years and cost more than £100 billion.

Dealing with such a range of complexities and uncertainties requires fundamental science, innovative thinking and novel engineering. Progress depends on clearly understanding the problems, finding solutions and ensuring the cost for taxpayers remains acceptable. Research & Development (R&D) is therefore an essential part of decommissioning programme. The aim is to solve the challenging technical problems more effectively, more efficiently, more safely and, where possible, for less cost.

A total of approximately £101 million was spent on R&D during 2017 to 2018.

The bulk of this forms part of the budget allocated to our Site Licence Companies (SLCs) and subsidiary organisations, and is aimed at addressing specific on-site challenges identified during decommissioning activities. The work is carried out by SLCs, the subsidiaries and through contracts awarded to their supply chain.

Separately, the NDA also funds a strategic portfolio to commission projects directly, particularly in areas with potential to have an impact across a number of sites, or to develop our overall strategy. This kind of research may help shape and develop our strategy, encourage early innovation or maintain key technical skills. This portfolio is called the NDA Direct Research Portfolio (DRP).

About DRP

The DRP is a key component of the overall R&D programme. It accounts for approximately £5 million of the annual investment and represents an important area of overall support for R&D across the group’s 17 sites and subsidiary organisations.

The DRP is made up of projects that:

• help shape and underpin NDA’s overall strategy for the UK
• deliver innovation across multiple sites
• develop vital technical expertise for the future

DRP projects are aligned against NDA’s 4 driving strategic themes:

1. Integrated waste management
2. Site decommissioning and remediation
3. Spent fuel management
4. Nuclear materials

DRP projects are contracted through framework contracts that last up to 4 years. The current contracts, awarded in 2016, involve 3 framework contracts:

• Lot A: University interactions
• Lot B: Integrated waste management and Site decommissioning and remediation
• Lot C: Spent fuel management and Nuclear materials

Overall, 9 consortia comprising around 70 organisations are involved in the DRP, ranging from UK universities and research bodies to global corporations and small businesses.

Topics for individual projects are identified either by NDA’s internal technical experts or through the members of the Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Research Forum (NWDRF), a cross-industry forum which promotes collaboration across the UK on nuclear decommissioning R&D.

This report outlinesthe projects funded through the DRP during 2017 to 2018, with case studies on some key projects. Some are ongoing from earlier contracts, but all have potential for a significant impact across the NDA group of businesses.

Further information on NDA’s R&D programme can be found in our 5-year R&D plan.

DRP spend and key facts

£5.7 million spent during 2017 to 2018

Spend on each Lot

Lot	2017 to 2018 Spend
Lot A	£1,500,326
Lot B	£3,392,937
Lot C	£880,276

Other key facts

New projects

NDA R&D Driver	Number of New DRP projects (FY2017/18)
Delivering Innovation	14
Inform Strategy	19
Maintaining Skills	4

Lot A: University Interactions

Delivering innovation

PhD title	University
Development of novel radiochemical methods for the analysis of challenging nuclides in nuclear decommissioning samples	University of Birmingham /University of Surrey / National Physical Laboratory
Radiochemistry Sensors for use on Robotic Inspection Vehicles	University of Manchester
Experimental and modelling approaches to support the management of radioactive discharge pipelines	University of Manchester
In-situ non-contact pressure measurement in sealed cans using acoustic methods	University of Warwick
Measurement of waste package dimensions and deformations using robotically deployed optical methods	University of Strathclyde
An Efficient One-Pot Process for Conditioning and Encapsulation of Contaminated Mercury Waste	University of Sheffield
Atomic scale insights into the mobility of radionuclides in the plasma vitrification simulant plutonium contaminated materials	University of Liverpool
Cements of the future, and future nuclear cements	University of Sheffield

Lot B: Integrated waste management and site decommissioning and remediation

Project title	Lead organisation	R&D driver
Briefing notes on emerging issues in Land Quality Management for the Nuclear Industry	Arup	Maintaining Key Skills
Creation of guidance to SLCs to assist them in determining optimum end state associated with off-site structures	Wood	Inform Strategy
Developing standardised conditioning factors and packaging factors for Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) and Low Level Waste (LLW) streams	Galson Sciences	Inform Strategy
Development of an improved rapid methodology for the analysis of Carbon-14 in solid decommissioning waste	NSG Environmental	Delivering Innovation
Evaluation of characterisation approaches for populations of small-volume / high number redundant laboratory chemicals	Arup	Delivering Innovation
Identification and implementation of treatment technologies for ion exchange materials	NSG Environmental	Delivering Innovation
Identification and implementation of treatment technologies for sludges, oily sludges and oily wastes	NSG Environmental	Delivering Innovation
Problematic waste packaging and transport study	Eden Nuclear and Environment	Inform Strategy
Real world behaviour of artificial radionuclides in near surface hydrogeological environments	Wood	Maintain Skills
Review of management approaches and treatment technologies used for the treatment of smaller volume problematic radioactive wastes	Galson Sciences	Inform Strategy
Solid Waste Characterisation Guidance Document	Wood	Maintaining Skills
Technical secretary for National inventory Forum (NIF)	Wood	Inform Strategy

Lot C: Spent fuel management and nuclear materials

Project title	Lead organisation	R&D driver
Attendance at Radiation Induced Segregation (RIS) workshop to present and discuss results	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Attendance at Radiation Induced Segregation (RIS) workshop to present and discuss results	Wood	Inform Strategy
Attendance at the AGR Technical Forum 2018 to present work and discuss results and strategy development	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Attendance at the AGR Technical Forum 2018 2018 to present work and discuss results and strategy development	Wood	Inform Strategy
Desktop review of the techniques available for characterisation of AGR cladding composition, microstructure and corrosion behaviour	Wood	Inform Strategy
Desktop study - Information on in-pond caesium detector for locating failed fuel	Wood	Deliver innovation
Desk-top study into the variations in Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) cladding specifications and manufacturing processes	Wood	Inform Strategy
Desktop study on Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) Can Filling Methodology - Options Assessment	Wood	Inform Strategy
Desktop study on horizon scanning of alternative approach to plutonium immobilisation	National Nuclear Laboratory	Deliver Innovation
Literature review of AGR-relevant corrosion modelling and simulation [footnote 1]	Wood	Inform Strategy
Literature review of AGR-relevant corrosion modelling and simulation [footnote 1]	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Literature review of dry storage conditions and impact on AGR fuel behaviour	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Literature review on effects of aging on plutonium powder characteristics	Wood	Inform Strategy
Review of next steps in the development of an Radiation Induced Segregation model for AGR fuel cladding	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Review of the potential contribution of Post Storage Examination (PSE) to the NDA Oxide Fuel Strategy	National Nuclear Laboratory	Inform Strategy
Role of niobium carbide (NbC) precipitates on corrosion mechanisms of AGR cladding	Wood	Inform Strategy
Support to Horizon 2020 project: GENIORS (GEN IV Integrated Oxide fuel Recycling Strategies) [footnote 2]	National Nuclear Laboratory	Maintaining Skills

Case studies

Lot A case study

We need to maintain and develop sufficient high-level expertise to support decommissioning as the mission moves forward over the next 100-plus years. We therefore invest in a range of university research programmes targeted at decommissioning, and fundamental supporting topics, while supporting wider collaborative research programmes that align with industry requirements.

Read more: Investing in technical expertise for the future of nuclear decommissioning

Lot B case studies

Graphene

We are looking to understand how graphene, an emerging technology, could improve delivery of NDA’s mission, and have therefore commissioned a review of graphene properties, the latest associated developments and areas for potential deployment in decommissioning.

Read more: Graphene, one for the future

Thermal treatment

We’re always seeking alternative, as well as cost-efficient, solutions for immobilisation of large quantities of mixed, diverse radioactive waste. An integrated project team has been working on adapting existing thermal treatment technology to produce stable, passively safe material that can be disposed of in a Geological Disposal Facility.

Read more: Thermal solution can reduce waste volumes

Emerging issues

NDA has developed an information resource to share among all professionals involved in land remediation, including site employees and contractors. This is aimed at ensuring the latest techniques and regulatory guidance is adopted and the latest techniques are shared.

Read more: Land remediation specialists embrace e-sharing

Cement encapsulation

A continued supply of cement powders is vital for encapsulating UK higher activity radioactive wastes before packaging, storage and eventual disposal. However, supplies depends on by-products from UK industries that are in decline. We have therefore carried out a review into current issues and outlined options for managing future risks.

Read more: Forward planning to ensure cement supplies

Lot C case study

Hot isostatic pressing

Some UK plutonium stocks are unsuitable for re-use as a component of new fuel and we require a different way to deal with these stocks. We’re working to identify and develop immobilisation technologies, which include refinement of an existing thermal treatment process: hot isostatic pressing.

Read more: Pressure treatment for plutonium stockpile

Framework contractors

Lot A: University interactions

Lead organisation	Consortia
National Nuclear Laboratory	Frazer-Nash Consulting

Lot B: Integrated waste management and Site decommissioning and remediation

Lead organisation	Consortia
Wood	Brenk Systemplanung, Jülich Research Centre, Andra, Cogentus Consulting, DAS, Imperial College London, Longenecker & Associates, MMI Engineering, NuVision, OC Robotics, Fortum, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester.
Arcadis	AdvanSci, Applied Photonics, Areva RMC, Aurora, ESI, MDecon, Pöyry, ProNu-Dec, Tradebe Inutec, TWI, University of Liverpool, Dalton Nuclear Institute, University of Surrey.
Arup	Costain, Pöyry, Studsvik, James Fisher Nuclear, SN3, AdvanSci, MCM, Bilfinger GVA, Pinsent Masons, CL:AIRE, r3 Environmental Technology, Dalton Nuclear Institute.
Eden Nuclear and Environment	Cavendish Nuclear, DBE TECHNOLOGY GmbH, Golder Associates, Tradebe Inutec, Project Time and Cost International.
Galson Sciences	National Nuclear Laboratory, Frazer-Nash Consulting, Advansci, Amphos 21, Cogentus Consulting, Integrated Decision Management, Jacobs, Kurion, Rodgers Leask, VTT, University of Bristol, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield.
NSG Environmental	AECOM, ARC, Oxford Technologies, NPL, ESG, Quintessa, React Engineering, KDC, Tradebe Inutec, Synergy Health, Nuclear AMRC, Loughborough University, University of Manchester, University of Surrey.

Lot C: Spent fuel management and Nuclear materials

Lead organisation	Consortia
Wood	Andra, Brenk Systemplanung, Jülich Research Centre, Imperial College, DAS Ltd, Fortum, MMI Engineering, NPL, NRG, OC Robotics, Studsvik, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Loughborough University.
Orano	NSG Consultancy, MDecon, Quintessa, University of Liverpool, University of Sheffield.
National Nuclear Laboratory	Frazer-Nash Consulting, Galson Sciences, ALD France, Aquila Nuclear Engineering, DBD, DAS, IDM, Jacobs, Kurion, Rodgers-Leask, University of Bristol, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, Imperial College.

1. NDA received two acceptable bids for this work from NNL and Wood respectively. The bids were complementary and therefore there was merit in commissioning both pieces of work. ↩ ↩²

2. This project involves NDA providing leveraged funding to NNL to facilitate its participation in this EU Horizon 2020 project. NNL’s participation in the project will develop and maintain skills in the area of fuel recycling. ↩