Impact assessment

Submarine dismantling project: technical options study

Compares the technical aspects of 3 options for the interim storage of intermediate-level waste from the dismantling of nuclear submarines.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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The submarine dismantling project has been tasked with the development and implementation of a safe, environmentally responsible, secure and cost-effective solution for the dismantling and eventual disposal of the UK’s nuclear powered submarines in a manner that inspires public confidence.

The objective of the technical options study is to compare the technical aspects of the 3 options under consideration for the interim storage of intermediate level waste from the dismantling of nuclear submarines. These options are:

  • Option 1: reactor compartment storage

Storage of intact reactor compartments cropped from the submarine

  • Option 2: reactor pressure vessel storage

Storage of the reactor pressure vessel together with other large items; and

  • Option 3: packaged waste storage

Storage of separated and packaged intermediate-level waste.

Published 1 June 2010