Publication Laka-library:
SIXEP: Site ion exchange effluent plant (1985)
| Author | BNFL |
| Date | June 1985 |
| Classification | 2.05.8.32/01 (UNITED KINGDOM - SELLAFIELD - DISCHARGES IRISH SEA) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
Discharges of low level radioactivity to the sea from Sellafield have been progressively reduced since the early 1970s. Now less than 0.1 per cent of the waste arising from the reprocessing of irradiated fuel is discharged from the site to the sea or to the atmosphere. British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) is committed to lowering discharges of low level radioactivity to the Irish Sea still further and the new Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP) will assist significantly in continuing these reductions. Design and development work for SIXEP began in the mid 1970s following a build up of irradiated fuel stocks in a storage pond. This build-up created higher levels of radiocaesium and strontium in the discharges to sea so it was decided to proceed with the design and construction of SIXEP. In the meantime short-term measures were instituted to control the levels of discharge of caesium in particular. These measures have been successful in reducing the annual caesium discharges in eight years to about one-tenth of their peak figures. SIXEP provides an important means of reducing discharges still further, to a few per cent of peak levels. Construction of the £120 million project began in late 1979 and operations started In 1985. Water contaminated with radioactive wastes from various irradiated fuel storage ponds and other related facilities is pumped via overhead concrete-shielded pipebridges for treatment in SIXEP. The plant also has a role in cooling water from the adjacent new fuel storage plant and in storing waste.
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