Clean Energy Materials Sorting and Recycling Research Initiative

Abstract

The Clean-Energy Materials Sorting and Recycling (CMSR) Research Initiative, a collaboration between Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis) and McMaster University, focuses on minimizing low- level radiological waste (LLW) generated by Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactors. The CMSR facilitates research and development on source term characterization, radiation detection optimization, machine learning, and automation to enhance LLW characterization. Thirty-seven months of CMSR laboratory operations have yielded substantial process developments and data collection, and identified significant volume reduction opportunities through LLW segregation. Data collected for individual LLW bags include contamination levels, contact and working distance dose rates, tritium concentration, weight, activity, and material description. By the end of 2023, 120,000 LLW bags were sorted into washable, incinerable, compactable, metal, and non-processible waste streams, with an average volume reduction potential of 61 per cent through manual processing techniques. Data from CMSR operations has revealed opportunities to segregate non-contaminated material from LLW, following a phased Material Release Initiative. Phase one examines surface- contaminated material, while phases two and three focus on volumetrically contaminated material. Incorporating material release into the current CMSR sorting and segregation processes is expected to further enhance LLW minimization efforts, contributing towards legacy, current, and future LLW volumes provincially.