Innovation Research Series: On-site metal-cleaning facility

The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS) and SNC-Lavalin have entered into a Collaboration Research Agreement to study a modular, metal-processing facility to sort, clean, and reduce contaminated metals.

This study will explore potential for a facility to reduce metal volumes destined for storage and eventual disposal during decommissioning. First, metal would be sorted by type and nuclear-materials classification (low, intermediate or high). Next, metals would be cleaned and processed using industry-proven methods (such as segmentation or sandblasting) and new technologies. During the last step, the metals could be recycled or released as clean, or sent for storage and disposal through established routes for nuclear materials. Reducing the volume that requires storage and disposal can significantly reduce nuclear-material management costs for decommissioning.

About SNC-Lavalin:

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. SNC-Lavalin deploys global capabilities locally to their clients and delivers unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital – and delivered to clients in key strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations & Maintenance and Capital.

Innovation Research Series: 

The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability has established an annual $2-million innovation fund for new research and development projects that will help prepare for decommissioning and advance solutions for minimizing nuclear materials and recycling clean materials. 

The ideas, techniques and solutions that come from these projects will help reduce timelines and costs for the decommissioning project, enhance employee safety, reduce radiation exposure and waste, and ensure the safety of the community and environment.