Non-intrusive characterisation of legacy waste drum contents

In preparation for the long-term disposal of legacy waste on the Sellafield site in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), waste package contents must be processed into a suitable safe and passive form. To process and treat the waste in the most safe, efficient and cost-effective way, Sellafield Ltd needs to fully understand the chemical, physical, radiological and fissile nature of the waste within the legacy packages.

This challenge is focused on waste packages that contain untreated and unprocessed Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM). Key to this challenge is the ability to obtain the required characterisation without opening or disturbing the contents of the PCM drums.

CHALLENGE AIMS

The following is a high-level list of the characteristics that Sellafield Ltd needs to identify or discern with regard to their PCM drums, prior to processing in its Waste Treatment Complex:

• Physical nature of the contents, such as solid lumps, powders, liquids, sludges etc
• Chemical composition of the above, with particular focus on potential explosives
• In the case of pressurised vessels, it is important to understand whether the vessels have retained their pressurisation
• Identification and quantification of reactive metal species
• Quantification of the surface area of any aluminium present
• Presence and nature of any complexing agents
• Presence and quantities of asbestos
• Presence and quantities of any neutron absorbers and reflectors, such as beryllium and graphite

Further specifications on these criteria are given in the functional requirements section of the challenge statement.

The challenge owners are willing to consider any solutions that can provide some but not all of the information required. All valid information relating to the contents of these packages is useful.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking to implement solutions within a 2- to 5-year time frame.

FIND OUT MORE

Please download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.

You can watch a webinar and Q&A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.

The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Tuesday 21st January 2025.

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.

Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:

1. How well does the application align with the challenge aims?
2. Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?
3. What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?
4. Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?
5. Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?
6. Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?