Winfrith SGHWR Decommissioning
Winfrith, Dorset, UK · Operations 1967-1990, Decommissioning ongoing (started 1990s) · Part of NRS decommissioning budget
The judgement call
Account action unavailableWinfrith was a center for nuclear research and development, and its decommissioning involves unique challenges associated with experimental reactor types. - Significant progress has been made in decommissioning facilities and transferring waste, demonstrating effective hazard reduction. - The site is being re-used, highlighting the potential for repurposing former nuclear sites after decommissioning.
Key engineering challenges
Decommissioning a unique Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor (SGHWR) prototype. - Managing the removal of any remaining heavy water and associated radioactive materials. - Dismantling complex reactor buildings and facilities, including the Dragon reactor. - Transferring and storing various types of radioactive waste generated during decommissioning.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS)
- Lead contractor
- Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- decommissioning
- Scale
- 100 MWe (Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor), 100ft diameter Dragon building
- Disciplines
- nuclear; civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; waste management; remote handling
- Standards & frameworks
- ONR
Sources: Wikipedia: Winfrith (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfrith) - ONR: Intuec Ltd, Winfrith (https://www.onr.org.uk/our-work/what-we-regulate/sellafield-decommissioning-fuel-and-waste/sites/intuec-ltd-winfrith) - NRS SSG: Winfrith site (https://nrsssg.com/site/winfrith/) - GOV.UK: Dragon reactor dismantling underway (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dragon-reactor-dismantling-underway) - World Nuclear Association: Winfrith SGHWR (https://world-nuclear.org/nuclear-reactor-database/details/Winfrith-SGHWR) - Global Energy Monitor: Winfrith SGHWR nuclear power plant (https://www.gem.wiki/Winfrith_SGHWR_nuclear_power_plant)