JET Decommissioning - Transition from Operations to Decommissioning Laura Thorne – JDR Portfolio Manager UK Atomic Energy Authority Discharge the UK's liability for JET decommissioning in a cost-effective manner, using innovative cost saving methods, and reducing nuclear hazard. Minimize waste streams and maximize tritium recovery. Develop, implement and prove new technologies to position the UK for future international markets. Repurpose JET facilities for UK science and innovation where there is a clear case to do so. Enable the growth of the fusion cluster by regenerating land released from JET. Retain and build on key UK skills base gained through hosting and operating JET, including within the supply chain. Mission: To lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefit. Goals: • Solve challenges of sustainable fusion energy - from design through to decommissioning - with world-leading science and engineering. • Enable partners to design, deliver, and operate commercial fusion power plants. • Drive UK economic growth and a thriving industry that exports fusion technology around the world. • Create clusters that accelerate innovation in fusion and related technologies. • Develop the talented, diverse people needed to deliver fusion energy. Strategic and political context Presenter: Paul Knight Identification Phase (2004 - 2021): • 2004-2008 – Creation, baselining and archiving of initial Culham Lifetime Plan (LTP) • 2018/19 – Unpacking plans from archive – annual updates to Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on current JET decommissioning liability • 2019-2021 – Programme requirements identified based on archived LTP • 2021 – UKAEA asks JDR to create an Alternative Decommissioning Strategy • 2021 – Decommissioning Management Agent (DMA) status transferred from NDA to UKAEA Definition Phase (2021-2023): • 2022 – Strategic optioneering and identification of critical success factors for the JET Decommissioning and Repurposing Programme (JDR) • March 2022 - Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) • Recruitment and mobilization of initial JDR team focused on Outline Business Case (OBC) • April/May 2023 – Outline Business Case reviews and move to Tranche approach • June 2023 – Parliamentary Investment Committee -> Outline Business Case for Tranche 1 • 2021 – UKAEA declared as the decommissioning management agent (DMA) for JET. Responsibility for JET decommissioning moved to UKAEA from the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) which is the DMA for fission. • JET decommissioning to be regulated by the Environment Agency (EA) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE). • UK government department BEIS was devolved to become the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This body funds JET decomm. JET'S LIFE CYCLE • 1973: Design, Planning and Building • 1983: Plasma Science Operations and Upgrades • 2024: Decommissioning and Repurposing Fusion world: JET MAKES HISTORY, AGAIN "The JET tokamak has achieved a first-ever sustained, high-confinement plasma using the same wall materials and fuel mix that ITER will use. The results aligned with prediction ... and this predictability is very good news for the ITER research program and for fusion in general." • JET has met its aims – and has done so incredibly well. • The business case for decommissioning JET to learn even more is compelling. • The next question to be answered in the fusion journey is “can we engineer clean decommissioning for fusion?” • There is more that can be learned from JET but this would be extremely expensive. No funding is available from any source to continue this work. • Beyond the physics challenges that fusions presents, the question of waste disposal is just as valid. Without viable ways of treating waste and clear decommissioning plans, fusion reactors may not be given permission to operate. • UKAEA are uniquely placed to research these problems and develop new technologies from the decommissioning of JET. • UKAEA are also well placed to take part in the development of new fusion regulations which would govern the operating and decommissioning of fusion site. • In terms of new fusion science, STEP will pave the way for the UK. Decommissioning will do much to inform the design of STEP. ▪ Can we reduce waste volumes by removing the tritium from components by a process called detritiation? ▪ Can we use robotics to decrease exposure of personnel to radiation, reduce secondary waste and speed up work? ▪ Can we use radionuclide fingerprinting of items from JET to help us analyse fusion reactor waste better? Can we design better materials using these results? ▪ Disposing of waste is very expensive, are we able to repurpose or refurbish any areas of the JET plant? ▪ Can we clear areas of the campus to give way to development land for investors and private companies who want to develop further in the fusion sector? UKAEA are well placed to take part in the development of new fusion regulations which would govern the operating and decommissioning of fusion sites. In terms of new fusion science, STEP will pave the way for the UK. Decommissioning will do much to inform the design of STEP. • The UK is predicted to spend £124bn on nuclear decommissioning in the next 120 year or so. This cost can be brought down using new technologies. • UKAEA are uniquely placed to research these problems and develop new technologies from the decommissioning of JET. Guiding Principles for JET Decommissioning Presenter: Paul Knight • JDR is important for UKAEA… for fusion… for decommissioning • JDR may be the only opportunity to generate supporting evidence for Design For Waste and Design For Remote which will shape future fusion including the ITER Hot Cell and STEP • JDR may be a good route to evidence UK Fusion Regulation Waste Hierarchy: • Prevention (Most Preferred) • Re-use • Recycling • Recovery • Disposal (Least Preferred) Principles applied: • e.g. Touch once; hands-off • Detritiation • TIMWOOD waste minimization (Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Overproduction, Overprocessing, Defects) Our vision is to apply ‘targeted innovations’ alongside human operations where they can: • reduce programme costs • reduce exposure to hazards • reduce risks for future fusion • help us learn lessons for future fusion • maximise the benefits from JET as a lead and learn site for NDA, Sellafield, TEPCO…, Building fusion capability and knowledge at Culham and beyond Schedule Breakdown across 5 Tranches (2023 - 2040): Workstreams: • HANDLING: - Tranche 1 (2023-2024): Sample Retrieval, Feasibility Study, LISR Design, Ex-Vessel (EV) Stage 1 - Tranche 2 (2025-2029): LISR Build & Commission, EV Stage 2, EV Stage 3, EV Stage 4, IV 1, In-Vessel (IV) 2, IV 3, De-plant J1, Large Item Size Reduction Operations - Decisions: whether to buffer store ILW; how much waste can be packed in-situ; future site requirements of the waste facilities - Tranche 3 (2030-2033): Decision to re-purpose J1, Decision to re-purpose J25 - Tranche 4 (2034-2037): Release of J1 for Repurposing, De-plant J25 - Tranche 5 (2038-2040): Release of J25 for Repurposing • WASTE: - Tranche 1: R&D - Tranche 2: Detritiation Facility Build, Decision on how much waste to detritiate - Tranches 3-5: Detritiation of ILW Waste AND Processing/Consignment of LLW • BUILDINGS: - Clearance, Auxiliary Building Repurposing, Auxiliary Buildings De-plant, Large Building Repurposing • EQUIPMENT: - Additional Works (SPEP, MAST-U), Asset Repurposing • At OBC it is acceptable to have 20% uncertainty for the work contained in the scope of the OBC. • The technical advisory committee (TAC) cost review concluded that uncertainty levels were too high to submit the whole programme to OBC. • JDR is a highly uncertain programme which will require a series of decision points based on robust studies. • The work contained in Tranche 1 will aim to provide technical and management evidence to enable these key decisions. • The aim is to reduce uncertainty in the totality of the programme and to develop a cost-effective delivery strategy. Key Milestones & Associated Decisions to inform Tranches: • Studies for Size Reduction R&D Phase complete and approved – Nov-24 • Detritiation Work Packages 1-9 complete and approved - Mar-25 -> Decision on how much waste to detritiate and how to achieve value for money. • Feasibility & Planning Studies for JET Ex-Vessel Stage 1 complete and approved – Jul-24 -> Decision on which components can be size reduced/packed in-situ to reduce waste handling • Characterisation of samples from Sample Retrieval Campaign part 1 complete – Mar-25 • Studies for ILW processing R&D phase complete and approved – Sept-24 -> Decision on whether to buffer store ILW or to go directly into waste processing • JET handover from Science Operations to Decommissioning – Dec-23 -> Decision on whether the waste facilities will provide an enduring capability to site Cross-cutting foundation: Stakeholder Engagement, Quality Assurance, Robust Waste Characterisation Data How will JDR be structured to deliver these milestones? Presenter: Paul Knight • Handling: Decommissioning and handling of components and assemblies from their installed locations to a point of handover for waste processing or repurposing • Waste: Processing of waste materials from the point of handover to the point of consignment and transport • Buildings: De-plant, clear and repurpose auxiliary buildings and land for future development and occupancy • Equipment: Preparation of repurposing strategy, and agreements for buildings and assets Governance & Management Hierarchy: • CEO • RRDD Executive Director | COO (inc. SHEQ) • Assurance through Office of Chief Engineer | UKAEA Interface to Environment Agency | JDR Director | Advisory Group | Programme Board • JDR Portfolio Management | JDR Engineering • Programme Delivery Divisions: - JDR Site Management - JDR Decommissioning & Handling -> Handling Solutions - JDR Waste / Materials Processing -> Waste Solutions (H3AT Line Managed) - JDR Auxiliary Bldgs Clearance & Repurposing -> Buildings Solutions (Campus & Property Development Line Managed) - JDR Repurposing -> Equipment Repurposing (Campus & Property Development Line Managed) • Engineering & Design Integration across all streams Summary: JDR led – cross-programme and cross-project integration of engineering & design solutions. Technical delivery in accordance with existing UKAEA TCS processes while maximising opportunities to exploit emerging decommissioning specific processes & decision making bodies. Waste Hierarchy Alignment with JDR Aims: • Prevention (future): Knowledge for STEP and ITER to prevent future waste by design • Prevention (now): - Precise, ‘real time’ characterisation – data driven processing - Remote operations to reduce hazard to humans and soft waste arisings - In-situ decommissioning to avoid transport - ‘Touch once’ to avoid spreading contamination • Re-use: - Re-use of 3H as part of 3H management (see also Recovery…) - Re-use and repurposing of equipment, buildings and site services • Recycling: Recycling of recoverable materials such as copper • Recovery: Treatment of tritiated materials using detritiation techniques • Disposal: - Some, ideally in-situ, processing and consignment of waste to storage after all the above options have been exhausted - Continuous processing to minimise work in progress (hence interim storage) - Modular approach to avoid fixed facility build Identified Programme Benefits: • B1: Reduction in the total public cost of JET decommissioning • B2: Reduction of the nuclear hazard in JET decommissioning • B3: Reduction in the quantity and level of waste stored as a result of JET decommissioning • B4: New exportable fusion decommissioning skills and IP in the UK • B5: Inform the development of an enabling regulatory framework through globally unique experience • B6: Reduced environmental impact and enhanced sustainability of decommissioning techniques applicable to wider nuclear estate • B7: Enhanced public and private sector innovation capability through efficient re-use of JET assets • B8: Increased efficiencies and investor confidence in private fusion technology firms • B9: Increased human capital though efficient retention of highly trained JET workforce in the UK for the future fusion sector Knowledge and Information Capture Presenter: Paul Knight • Photographs and videos of previous shutdowns • Original designs for JET - some in paper archives • Sharepoint sites and technical document control systems • Interviews and videos with current JET staff • “Organisation knowledge” – keeping a team with key knowledge together is important • Individuals with operational experience • Apprentices and skills growth to learn the expertise – young people will be extremely important in absorbing knowledge Re-use equipment and methodology from Enhancements Phase 2 (EP2), 2009 - 2011. Key components shown: Oct 5, Oct 1. Remote handling work “in-vessel” to remove components in two phases using robotic arms – update with new systems and end effectors for decommissioning. Items removed in phase 1.0 - 1.5: Inner Lower Be Saddle Tiles, Outer Lower Be Saddle Tiles, LBSRP Tiles, Inner Divertor Carriers, Outer Divertor Carriers, LBSRP Adaptor Plates, Divertor Base Carriers Inner Lower Gap Protection Tiles. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Items removed in phase 1.5 - 1.8: Outer Upper Be Saddle Coils, Outer Lower Saddle Coil Shine Through Tiles & Adaptor plate, Upper Inner Wall Protection Tiles Inner Wall Protection Tiles (Inconel), Inner Wall Protection Tiles (CFC), ILW Poloidal Limiter Tiles, Poloidal Limiter Tiles Top & Bottom, IWGL Tiles, IWGL Transmission Tiles (CFC), IWGL Transmission Adaptor, IWGL Bottom Adaptor, A2 Protection Tiles, A2 Separator Tiles, LHCD Tiles, ICRH Poloidal Limiter Tile, ICRH Septum Tiles, ICRH Cross Beam Tiles and Adaptor Plates, ICRH Private Limiter Tiles, ICRH Screen Bars, Inner Wall Shine Through, Poloidal Limiter Side Protection, Poloidal Limiter Shine Through Tiles, TAE Antenna Protection Tiles, Mushroom Tiles, Mushroom Shunt Tiles, Restraining Ring Tiles, Dump Plate Tiles, KG1 Mirror Protection Tiles (Oct 7), Lost Alpha Protection Tiles, Pellet Launcher Shine Trough Protection Tiles, Octant 7 Mirror Protection Tiles, OPA and MHD Coils, HRTS Beam Dump, Divertor Bolometers, Deposition Monitors, KG6 Wave Guide, KC1 Coils, KY06 Mirror, TRS Activation Foils, Sticking Monitors, Louver Sample Clips, KL5 Periscope Tile, Be Evaporator, Long Term Dust Collection Pots Oct 4 & 6, IWGL Extension Block, ICRH Top Hook Clamp. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Items removed in phase 1.8 – 2.1: IWGL Beams, Poloidal Coil Plate Oct 4 & 8, OPA Lower Beam Oct 4 & 8, KC1X Beam Oct 8, Shine Through Adaptor Plates Oct 1 & 5, Poloidal Limiter Beams, ICRH Cross Beam, A2 Antenna, LHCD Antenna, TAE Antenna, Lost Alpha Beam and Support. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Items removed in phase 2.2: Saddle Coil Bars (All IL, OL, OU), Restraining Ring. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Items removed in phase 2.2 – 2.9: KG1 Mirror Supports, French Horns, OP Tile Supports, Divertor Louvers, Divertor Outer Modules/ Ring, Divertor Inner Modules / Ring, Divertor Base Modules, Divertor Coil Conduits, Cryopanels (on DC1) - Siclanic Material, Divertor Coil 1, Divertor Coil 4, Divertor Coil 2 & 3, Divertor coil mounting brackets. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Phase 3.0 – Various Manifold and Pipes, Vessel Clean-up to within 100mm. (Source: RACE: JET Repurposing – Vessel Strip Out, Rory Steadman) Use plant knowledge to dismantle to outside components (ex-vessel). Photo from 1982 - construction of JET to help visualise JET with no equipment around it at the end of the ex-vessel phase. Many photos are stored in the JET Media archive and will be used as information sources. The EP1 shutdown which removed an octant is in living memory of many people at JET. Capturing this knowledge from them now is essential as it will help us to dismantle the machine. The jigs used for this lift are still stored at Culham. The 150t crane pictured here was built for the assembly of JET and can be used again in decommissioning with the jigs. Knowledge on fitting the blanking plates and experience gained in controlling tritium will be crucial. Octants will need to be reduced in size - the challenge will be to do as much size reduction and packing in situ to avoid building large waste facilities. (Image: 1982 – JET construction – turning of the JET Octant Section, from JET Media Archive) • Material detritiation has been conducted on former JET components – mainly Inconel and Carbon-Fibre-Composite (CFC). • The JET ‘ITER-like wall’ has many more unique materials such as beryllium, tungsten, etc. • The JET ‘ITER-like wall’ materials have also been exposed to significantly greater levels of tritium than former JET components previously treated. • Significant amount of R&D into optimising detritiation for known materials and developing treatment parameters for new materials. Key components shown: Drum Tipper, ILW Sorting, Furnace Interface, Furnace, Bubbler, Catalyst, LLW Cooling, LLW Repacking, Sampling, Beryllium Tile, Inconel Tile Carrier, Tungsten Lamella, Spacer Plates, CFC Protection Tiles.