Radioactive sludge removed

The very first radioactive sludge has been removed from one of the most hazardous nuclear plants in Europe. The First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) – which dates back to the 1950s and was constructed to store, cool and prepare used Magnox nuclear fuel for recycling into new fuel – urgently needs to be emptied of 1,500 m³ of radioactive sludge.

‘We’re making history at Sellafield by transferring the first sludge using a tried and tested pump to a new £240mn state-of-the-art sludge storage plant containing three enormous stainless steel buffer storage vessels,’ Head of the FGMSP Martin Leafe said.

The sludge is a similar consistency to sand and has to be carefully removed, whilst leaving the water in place to provide a radioactive shield for the stored nuclear fuel. Its retrieval from the open-roofed pond will enable the remaining radioactive inventory to be progressively removed. The pond holds some 14,000 m³ of contaminated water, in which is stored Magnox spent nuclear fuel and miscellaneous nuclear wastes; all of which is draped in blanket of radioactive sludge.