The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

A highly innovative treatment being developed at Trawsfynydd for radioactive oil waste has scooped a prestigious UK environmental award.

Magnox Ltd and specialist waste treatment company Arvia are currently trialling the treatment which could lead to a sustainable on-site alternative to incinerating oil waste at specialist facilities across Europe.

The partners received the Rushlight Clean Environment award at an event in Westminster, hosted by the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor Sir John Beddington.  

The Rushlight Awards celebrate and promote new technology, innovation and best practice across the whole environment spectrum for organisations throughout the UK and Ireland. 

Arvia Technology Ltd and Magnox Ltd are developing the Arvia Titan, a solution for the treatment of radioactive oil waste. Retrieving and processing this type of waste material is a major decommissioning challenge.

Arvia Technology, a spin-out from the University of Manchester, developed new low-carbon, waste and chemical-free technology for the treatment of water and waste water. However, innovative collaboration with Magnox Ltd has led to a new and high-value, sustainable solution.

A full-scale Arvia Titan unit is now in operation at Trawsfynydd, providing a sustainable onsite alternative to the incineration of oil waste at specialist facilities across Europe.

Trawsfynydd's Site Director, Dave Wilson, said:

"the award is testament to the hard work, inspiration and innovation demonstrated by the project team. Radioactive waste oil is amongst the most difficult waste streams we have to manage at Trawsfynydd – the Arvia solution could prove to be a significant step forward for the whole nuclear industry."