02 Apr 350 drums in containers

For many years, a large stack of corroded drums has been the first sight to greet visitors on a tour of the low-level operational waste storage facility. Where the stack was, there is now an empty floor. The 350 or so drums have been packed into containers and moved to another storage facility.

F Until 1987, drums with the research centre's ship-generated waste were placed outdoors in three-metre high concrete pipe silos. Here stood the drums until in the mid-nineties they could be moved to the current storage facility. Even though each concrete pipe silo was closed at the top with a cover, water could still penetrate. Therefore, many of the oldest drums are attacked by rust.

DD continuously monitors the condition of the drums and takes action as needed. Some of the oldest drums, comprising an inner and an outer drum, were previously encased in an additional, larger drum. When this outermost drum also corrodes, it is time for repackaging into a container.

Over the past few months, a team of DD employees has lifted each drum from the stack, measured its activity levels, and ensured that all data is registered in the Waste Documentation System. Subsequently, the drum is placed into a container. Once the container is packed with six drums, all gaps are filled with loose material to absorb any moisture, and the container is then transported to an interim storage facility.

This is the fourth time DD packets a stack of corroded drums in containers. In the longer term, it is intended to pack all approximately 5000 drums into containers for intermediate storage. However, this will also cause the waste to fill up more, so it will only be possible once a new and larger storage facility has been put into use.