Our commitment to safe, responsible management The electricity generated by nuclear power emits virtually no greenhouse-gas causing emissions. The by-product of electricity generated from nuclear power is nuclear waste, which is managed in a contained and controlled manner. Every employee of OPG’s Nuclear Waste Management Division recognizes and accepts the responsibility for the management of our waste in an environmentally, socially and financially-responsible manner. We are dedicated, uncompromising and absolute in our commitment to the safety of fellow employees, the public, the communities where we operate, and the environment. OPG has been safely storing nuclear waste from the Bruce, Pickering and Darlington generating stations for more than 40 years and we are proud of our operating record and the progress we have made towards long-term solutions for the future. Darlington Nuclear Waste Management employees are well trained and regard safety for employees, the public and the environment as their top priority. ey have accomplished significant milestones in these areas, such as achieving long-standing records of no “Lost Time Accidents” and excellent environmental performance. Safe work planning, safe work practices and attention to detail, along with a safety-conscious work attitude, has led to this excellent safety performance. rough employing highly qualified staff, careful planning, develop- ment of technology and equipment and the use of sound operating pro- cedures, OPG has ensured that radioactive waste is managed safely and poses no significant risk to employees, the public or the environment. The storage of used nuclear fuel e Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF) is designed to safely store Darlington’s used nuclear fuel. e DWMF is similar to dry storage facilities in operation at the Bruce and Pickering sites and consists of an amenities area, a dry storage container processing build- ing and storage building. Approximately 35 staff work at the DWMF and they ensure that the public, workers and environment are protected from the hazards associated with the used fuel that they manage. e used fuel from the Darlington reactors will be transferred to the DWMF and stored there until a long term fuel management strategy for Canada is implemented. e facility began operating in early 2008 when the first storage building was completed and the operating sys- tems were tested. is first of three storage buildings will be capable of holding approximately 500 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). e construction of additional DSC storage buildings will be staged as addi- tional storage space is required, with a new storage building built about every five to seven years. Our commitment to safety and the environment • DWMF began operating in 2008. • DWMF staff regards safety and the environment as their top priority. • DWMF has a 10 year operating licence that will require to be renewed by April 2023. • DWMF is certified to the international environ- mental ISO 14001 standard since 2008. Darlington Waste Management Facility
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Our commitment to safe, responsible managementThe electricity generated by nuclear power emits virtually no greenhouse-gas causing emissions. The by-product of electricity generated from nuclear power is nuclear waste, which is managed in a contained and controlled manner.
Every employee of OPG’s Nuclear Waste Management Division recognizes and accepts the responsibility for the management of our waste in an environmentally, socially and fi nancially-responsible manner. We are dedicated, uncompromising and absolute in our commitment to the safety of fellow employees, the public, the communities where we operate, and the environment.
4
For more information about Ontario Power Generation’s nuclear waste management
program and plans, please visit www.opg.com or visit the Darlington Nuclear Info Centre.
Dry storage containers (DSCs) are extremely robust and provide an ef-fective barrier against radiation. Each DSC is made of reinforced high-density concrete approximately 510 mm (20 inches) thick and is lined inside and outside with 12.7 mm (half-inch) thick steel plate. A DSC loaded with used fuel bundles weighs 73 tonnes and can only be moved using a specially designed transporter which travels at a speed of only 4 km per hour.
Regulatory authorityTh e nuclear industry is one of the most strictly regulated in Canada. Th e overall regulation of nuclear reactor operation and waste manage-ment in Canada is the responsibility of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Th e CNSC monitors all activities of the DWMF operation to ensure that these operations pose no undue risks to people or the environment. Th e DWMF is also monitored on an ongoing basis by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Keeping OPG’s nuclear facilitiesSafe and SecureNothing is more important to OPG than ensuring our nuclear facilities are safe and secure for our employees, the surrounding host communi-ties, and for the people of Ontario. Nuclear Security has sole authority and responsibility for the provision of a robust security clearance pro-cess, security screening procedures, traffi c barriers and enhanced traffi c management, checking all merchandise delivered to the stations, and an on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week armed response unit.
OPG has been safely storing nuclear waste from the Bruce, Pickering and Darlington generating stations for more than 40 years and we are proud of our operating record and the progress we have made towards long-term solutions for the future.
Darlington Nuclear Waste Management employees are well trained and regard safety for employees, the public and the environment as their top priority. Th ey have accomplished signifi cant milestones in these areas, such as achieving long-standing records of no “Lost Time Accidents” and excellent environmental performance. Safe work planning, safe work practices and attention to detail, along with a safety-conscious work attitude, has led to this excellent safety performance.
Th rough employing highly qualifi ed staff , careful planning, develop-ment of technology and equipment and the use of sound operating pro-cedures, OPG has ensured that radioactive waste is managed safely and poses no signifi cant risk to employees, the public or the environment.
The storage of used nuclear fuelTh e Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF) is designed to safely store Darlington’s used nuclear fuel. Th e DWMF is similar to dry storage facilities in operation at the Bruce and Pickering sites and
consists of an amenities area, a dry storage container processing build-ing and storage building. Approximately 35 staff work at the DWMF and they ensure that the public, workers and environment are protected from the hazards associated with the used fuel that they manage.
Th e used fuel from the Darlington reactors will be transferred to the DWMF and stored there until a long term fuel management strategy for Canada is implemented. Th e facility began operating in early 2008 when the fi rst storage building was completed and the operating sys-tems were tested. Th is fi rst of three storage buildings will be capable of holding approximately 500 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). Th e construction of additional DSC storage buildings will be staged as addi-tional storage space is required, with a new storage building built about every fi ve to seven years.
Our commitment to safety and the environment
• DWMF began operating in 2008.
• DWMF staff regards safety and the environment as their top priority.
• DWMF has a 10 year operating licence that will require to be renewed by April 2023.
• DWMF is certifi ed to the international environ-mental ISO 14001 standard since 2008.Each dry storage container (DSC) is made of reinforced
high-density concrete approximately 510 mm (20 inches) thick and is lined inside and outside with 12.7 mm (half inch) thick steel plate. This thickness of concrete provides an effective barrier against radiation.
Darlington Waste Management FacilityThe Dry Storage Container (DSC)
for used nuclear fuel
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Design, print, distribution: OPG Offi ce Services 08 2013
Powersupply
To Control Room
Powersupply
HeLeak
Detector
Into Active Drainage
ACTIVE Ventilation
System
VAC
ACTIVE Ventilation
System
VACHe
Dry Storage Container (DSC)delivered from manufacturer toDarlington Waste ManagementFacility (Lid delivery not shown)
4-module fit test
Draincheck
DSC preparation and checks at DSC processing building
Remove oxide from lid & base
Lid placement with in-bay clampand then engage in-bay clamp
Transfer clamp removed;Weld pre-heater applied
Transfer of empty DSCto the station Remote loading
Remainingwater drainedfrom inside DSC
In-bay clampremoved (stays in station);Install O-ring toweld groove;Transfer clampattached
Verification of used fuel
Water drained frominside DSC back into bay
Water spray decontamination
Remote automatic weldingof DSC flange (lid to base)
Helium leak test of DSCDSC transferred to
storage building
1 2
3
8
13
Inspection of drain plug welds
Manual weld of DSC Drain Plug
16
17 18 20
Helium backfill of DSC
Final vacuum drying
15
9 12
4 5 6 7
Operations at the Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF)
Operations at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS)used fuel storage bay area
Transfer operations between DNGS and DWMF
10
Inspection of flange weld
14
Visual inspections andother checks as requiredTape weld groove areaand IAEA holes
Complete vacuum drying &install drain port transfer plug
Indoor secure storage
21
Paint repair, safeguards sealsapplied by IAEA inspectors,
DSC identification label attached
19
DSC transferred to processing building
11
Dry storage process The used fuel dry storage processWhen the fuel bundles are removed from the reactors at the Darlington site, they are radioactive and need to be managed safely and responsibly for an extended period of time. The first step is to cool the fuel bundles under water in specially engineered used fuel bays in the station.
As the Darlington fuel bays become full, it is necessary to transfer the used fuel from the fuel bays into robust concrete and steel containers and store them in the DWMF on the station site. The containers - called Dry Storage Containers (DSCs) - are engineered to last at least 50 years and will provide safe, interim storage until a long-term management pro-gram is in place. This dry storage process is a proven, safe and regulated technology. In Canada, dry storage is used by Hydro Quebec at Gentilly, New Brunswick Power at Point Lepreau and Atomic Energy of Canada at Chalk River and Douglas Point. In addition to Darlington, Ontario Power Generation also has dry storage facilities, that have been in opera-tion at Pickering, since 1995, and at the Bruce site, since 2002.
The term “dry storage” comes from the fact that the used fuel is stored in a dry state, contained and shielded by the concrete and steel in the DSCs and not by water as in the used fuel bays.
Dry storage processThe process of loading a dry storage container with used nuclear fuel be-gins by submersing the base of the 63-tonne container into one of Darlington’s water filled used fuel bays. Once in the storage
bay, four modules each con-taining 96 used fuel bundles are loaded into the container under water.
The used fuel bundles have been stored in the water filled bay for at least 10 years, dur-ing which they have cooled and become less radioactive. The lid of the container is then installed and secured to the base with a clamp. The container, now holding 384 used fuel bundles is removed from the bay, drained, de-contaminated and vacuum dried. It is then moved to the DWMF with one of the dedicated large transport ve-hicles. Once received at the DWMF, the lid is welded to the container’s base (with ten passes). After the inside of the container has been vacuum dried, it is filled with helium gas. The drain port is then seal-welded. The helium gas provides a means of leak detection for the sealed container and creates an inert atmosphere for the stored used fuel. Before being placed into storage, the container undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it is ab-solutely leak tight. Prior to placing the container into storage, safeguard seals are applied by an inspector from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
See page three for more details on the step-by-step process of preparing, loading, processing and storing dry storage con-tainers.
2 3
The transporter moves DSCs containing used fuel from the station to the processing building at the DWMF.
Used fuel is stored for at least 10 years under water in fuel bays at Darlington Nuclear. The water keeps the fuel bundles cool and provides an effective radiation shield.
After weld-sealing, painting and installation of the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency safeguard seals, the dry storage containers are placed in a warehouse-like building at the Darlington Waste Management Facility.
Powersupply
To Control Room
Powersupply
HeLeak
Detector
Into Active Drainage
ACTIVE Ventilation
System
VAC
ACTIVE Ventilation
System
VACHe
Dry Storage Container (DSC)delivered from manufacturer toDarlington Waste ManagementFacility (Lid delivery not shown)
4-module fit test
Draincheck
DSC preparation and checks at DSC processing building
Remove oxide from lid & base
Lid placement with in-bay clampand then engage in-bay clamp
Transfer clamp removed;Weld pre-heater applied
Transfer of empty DSCto the station Remote loading
Remainingwater drainedfrom inside DSC
In-bay clampremoved (stays in station);Install O-ring toweld groove;Transfer clampattached
Verification of used fuel
Water drained frominside DSC back into bay
Water spray decontamination
Remote automatic weldingof DSC flange (lid to base)
Helium leak test of DSCDSC transferred to
storage building
1 2
3
8
13
Inspection of drain plug welds
Manual weld of DSC Drain Plug
16
17 18 20
Helium backfill of DSC
Final vacuum drying
15
9 12
4 5 6 7
Operations at the Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF)
Operations at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS)used fuel storage bay area
Transfer operations between DNGS and DWMF
10
Inspection of flange weld
14
Visual inspections andother checks as requiredTape weld groove areaand IAEA holes
Complete vacuum drying &install drain port transfer plug
Indoor secure storage
21
Paint repair, safeguards sealsapplied by IAEA inspectors,
DSC identification label attached
19
DSC transferred to processing building
11
Dry storage process The used fuel dry storage processWhen the fuel bundles are removed from the reactors at the Darlington site, they are radioactive and need to be managed safely and responsibly for an extended period of time. The first step is to cool the fuel bundles under water in specially engineered used fuel bays in the station.
As the Darlington fuel bays become full, it is necessary to transfer the used fuel from the fuel bays into robust concrete and steel containers and store them in the DWMF on the station site. The containers - called Dry Storage Containers (DSCs) - are engineered to last at least 50 years and will provide safe, interim storage until a long-term management pro-gram is in place. This dry storage process is a proven, safe and regulated technology. In Canada, dry storage is used by Hydro Quebec at Gentilly, New Brunswick Power at Point Lepreau and Atomic Energy of Canada at Chalk River and Douglas Point. In addition to Darlington, Ontario Power Generation also has dry storage facilities, that have been in opera-tion at Pickering, since 1995, and at the Bruce site, since 2002.
The term “dry storage” comes from the fact that the used fuel is stored in a dry state, contained and shielded by the concrete and steel in the DSCs and not by water as in the used fuel bays.
Dry storage processThe process of loading a dry storage container with used nuclear fuel be-gins by submersing the base of the 63-tonne container into one of Darlington’s water filled used fuel bays. Once in the storage
bay, four modules each con-taining 96 used fuel bundles are loaded into the container under water.
The used fuel bundles have been stored in the water filled bay for at least 10 years, dur-ing which they have cooled and become less radioactive. The lid of the container is then installed and secured to the base with a clamp. The container, now holding 384 used fuel bundles is removed from the bay, drained, de-contaminated and vacuum dried. It is then moved to the DWMF with one of the dedicated large transport ve-hicles. Once received at the DWMF, the lid is welded to the container’s base (with ten passes). After the inside of the container has been vacuum dried, it is filled with helium gas. The drain port is then seal-welded. The helium gas provides a means of leak detection for the sealed container and creates an inert atmosphere for the stored used fuel. Before being placed into storage, the container undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it is ab-solutely leak tight. Prior to placing the container into storage, safeguard seals are applied by an inspector from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
See page three for more details on the step-by-step process of preparing, loading, processing and storing dry storage con-tainers.
2 3
The transporter moves DSCs containing used fuel from the station to the processing building at the DWMF.
Used fuel is stored for at least 10 years under water in fuel bays at Darlington Nuclear. The water keeps the fuel bundles cool and provides an effective radiation shield.
After weld-sealing, painting and installation of the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency safeguard seals, the dry storage containers are placed in a warehouse-like building at the Darlington Waste Management Facility.
Our commitment to safe, responsible managementThe electricity generated by nuclear power emits virtually no greenhouse-gas causing emissions. The by-product of electricity generated from nuclear power is nuclear waste, which is managed in a contained and controlled manner.
Every employee of OPG’s Nuclear Waste Management Division recognizes and accepts the responsibility for the management of our waste in an environmentally, socially and fi nancially-responsible manner. We are dedicated, uncompromising and absolute in our commitment to the safety of fellow employees, the public, the communities where we operate, and the environment.
4
For more information about Ontario Power Generation’s nuclear waste management
program and plans, please visit www.opg.com or visit the Darlington Nuclear Info Centre.
Dry storage containers (DSCs) are extremely robust and provide an ef-fective barrier against radiation. Each DSC is made of reinforced high-density concrete approximately 510 mm (20 inches) thick and is lined inside and outside with 12.7 mm (half-inch) thick steel plate. A DSC loaded with used fuel bundles weighs 73 tonnes and can only be moved using a specially designed transporter which travels at a speed of only 4 km per hour.
Regulatory authorityTh e nuclear industry is one of the most strictly regulated in Canada. Th e overall regulation of nuclear reactor operation and waste manage-ment in Canada is the responsibility of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Th e CNSC monitors all activities of the DWMF operation to ensure that these operations pose no undue risks to people or the environment. Th e DWMF is also monitored on an ongoing basis by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Keeping OPG’s nuclear facilitiesSafe and SecureNothing is more important to OPG than ensuring our nuclear facilities are safe and secure for our employees, the surrounding host communi-ties, and for the people of Ontario. Nuclear Security has sole authority and responsibility for the provision of a robust security clearance pro-cess, security screening procedures, traffi c barriers and enhanced traffi c management, checking all merchandise delivered to the stations, and an on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week armed response unit.
OPG has been safely storing nuclear waste from the Bruce, Pickering and Darlington generating stations for more than 40 years and we are proud of our operating record and the progress we have made towards long-term solutions for the future.
Darlington Nuclear Waste Management employees are well trained and regard safety for employees, the public and the environment as their top priority. Th ey have accomplished signifi cant milestones in these areas, such as achieving long-standing records of no “Lost Time Accidents” and excellent environmental performance. Safe work planning, safe work practices and attention to detail, along with a safety-conscious work attitude, has led to this excellent safety performance.
Th rough employing highly qualifi ed staff , careful planning, develop-ment of technology and equipment and the use of sound operating pro-cedures, OPG has ensured that radioactive waste is managed safely and poses no signifi cant risk to employees, the public or the environment.
The storage of used nuclear fuelTh e Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF) is designed to safely store Darlington’s used nuclear fuel. Th e DWMF is similar to dry storage facilities in operation at the Bruce and Pickering sites and
consists of an amenities area, a dry storage container processing build-ing and storage building. Approximately 35 staff work at the DWMF and they ensure that the public, workers and environment are protected from the hazards associated with the used fuel that they manage.
Th e used fuel from the Darlington reactors will be transferred to the DWMF and stored there until a long term fuel management strategy for Canada is implemented. Th e facility began operating in early 2008 when the fi rst storage building was completed and the operating sys-tems were tested. Th is fi rst of three storage buildings will be capable of holding approximately 500 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). Th e construction of additional DSC storage buildings will be staged as addi-tional storage space is required, with a new storage building built about every fi ve to seven years.
Our commitment to safety and the environment
• DWMF began operating in 2008.
• DWMF staff regards safety and the environment as their top priority.
• DWMF has a 10 year operating licence that will require to be renewed by April 2023.
• DWMF is certifi ed to the international environ-mental ISO 14001 standard since 2008.Each dry storage container (DSC) is made of reinforced
high-density concrete approximately 510 mm (20 inches) thick and is lined inside and outside with 12.7 mm (half inch) thick steel plate. This thickness of concrete provides an effective barrier against radiation.
Darlington Waste Management FacilityThe Dry Storage Container (DSC)
for used nuclear fuel
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Design, print, distribution: OPG Offi ce Services 08 2013
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