Innovation Research Series: Using mining techniques to clean concrete

The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS) and Hatch have entered into a Collaboration Research Agreement to study the use of hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy (typically used in mining) to decontaminate concrete structures at nuclear generating stations.

Hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy are the processes of separating minerals and metals from solid materials such as rock and concrete. They have been successfully applied in large industrial settings to separate trace quantities of nuclides from bulk materials. Over time the hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical process has evolved, making better use of available resources like water, energy and land, resulting in lower capital and operating costs, as well as reducing emissions.

This collaboration will look at adapting the process to separate radionuclides from the concrete at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station to minimize the amount of contamination and overall volume for future disposal.

About Hatch:

Hatch has decades of experience providing engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM), as well as management consulting, to the nuclear industry in North America and beyond. Areas of expertise include technology development, new nuclear, life extension, decommissioning, and waste management. Hatch believes that carbon-free nuclear power is key to achieving net-zero emissions.

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.