Development of nuclear waste treatment technology using advanced plasma generator for SMR applications

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The main industrial sponsor in this project is the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) including consortium of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Bruce Power. CNL is Canada's premier nuclear science and technology organization as an enabler of business innovation and technology transfer is committed to a clean and prosperous Canada. The main objective is to lead environmental remediation and implementing waste management solutions, including Port Hope Area. With the advancement in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, it became imperative to analyze nuclear waste related to SMR and possible treatment on-site and off-site for low and intermediate level waste (LILW). The proposed research initiatives focus on the study, analysis, and development of advanced solution for plasma-based nuclear waste treatment based on plasma torch melter (PTM) technology, which will support safe deployment of SMR and reduced risks of nuclear waste transportation and handling, which will lead to safer community. The project will include design of plasma generation system, engineering design of advanced nuclear waste treatment chamber that could be used in mobile locations to support SMR deployment. The proposed technology will reduce radioactive waste volume to make it suitable for transportation and storage. CNL is playing a key role and will support the proposed project activities including research, nuclear diagnostics, radioactive waste samples, vitrification quality, cash and/or in-kind contributions. The core activity of the partner organization is to propose a pilot test facility based on advanced plasma technology and prepare for scale-up and deployment in Canada and worldwide. The pilot experimental tests will assist in finalization of the design parameters, design options, radiological environment assessment data, shielding and license data for industrial scale application. CNL will collaborate with the Advanced Plasma Engineering Lab (APEL) researchers to design and test the pilot test facility. Plasma Torch Melter (PTM) will be used with test samples. Research includes design, scale up and PTM integration for LILW treatment.