Year
1989
Abstract
THORP will reprocess spent oxide fuel from UK and overseas reactors. Front-end design work started in 1981 and the main building and civil construction work started in the middle of 1985. Mainframe steel erection started at the beginning of 1987 and has just been completed. The main concrete biological shield is almost complete, installation of in-cell plant and pipework is underway and electrical installation is due to start shortly. Completion of construction is scheduled for early 1992.The Vitrification Plant will immobilise HA fission produce liquor concentrate from the reprocessing of Magnox and oxide fuels. Construction of the plant started in 1983 and is substantially complete. Testing work is proceeding through several stages from inactive testing of plant items and instrument control loops, to inactive commissioning using HA liquor simulate, and finally active commissioning with HA liquor feed stages of the plant. Inactive commissioning with simulate has started and active commissioning will commence in early 1990. The extent of minor plant modification has been minimised by the experience gained from a fully-size inactive test facility.