Sellafield Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) Decommissioning
Sellafield, Cumbria, UK · Operations 1994-2018, Decommissioning ongoing · Part of multi-billion pound decommissioning programme
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchTHORP's closure in 2018 marked the end of large-scale reprocessing at Sellafield, shifting focus to decommissioning. - The plant experienced operational issues and a major radioactive leak, highlighting the complexities and risks of reprocessing. - Decommissioning presents a significant and expensive challenge, requiring innovative approaches to manage hazards.
Key engineering challenges
Decommissioning a large, complex, and highly contaminated reprocessing facility. - Managing and safely storing residual radioactive materials and waste streams. - Developing and implementing remote dismantling techniques to minimize human exposure. - Addressing the long-term legacy of a plant that experienced operational challenges and leaks.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- decommissioning
- Scale
- Reprocessed ~7,000 tonnes of fuel
- Disciplines
- nuclear; chemical; process; mechanical; electrical; civil; waste management; remote handling
- Standards & frameworks
- ONR
Sources: Wikipedia: Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_Oxide_Reprocessing_Plant) - NDA Blog: End in sight for reprocessing nuclear fuel at Sellafield (https://nda.blog.gov.uk/end-in-sight-for-reprocessing-nuclear-fuel-at-sellafield/) - Fissile Materials: Britain's Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) (https://fissilematerials.org/library/rr19.pdf) - Human Factors 101: THORP (Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant) (https://humanfactors101.com/incidents/thorp/) - GOV.UK: What is Thorp? (https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/what-is-thorp) - Sellafield Ltd Facebook: ThanksThorp: The battle to build it (https://www.facebook.com/SellafieldLtd/posts/thanksthorp-the-battle-to-build-itover-the-next-few-weeks-we-will-be-telling-the/389473034926652/)