Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) and Rauman Biovoima Oy are launching a cooperation venture to make use of the waste, exempt from control, generated at the Olkiluoto NPP. The waste will be treated by Rauman Biovoima at their combined heat and power production plant. This marks the first time that NPP maintenance waste is recycled in Finland. The first pilot batch is planned to be transferred from Olkiluoto to Rauman Biovoima by the end of November.
Previously, similar waste was disposed of in landfills. As a result of the new scheme, waste can now for the first time be reclaimed for reuse through burning it for energy. The previous final disposal process was significantly more expensive, while the packaging and disposal of the waste required the use of natural resources.
Maintenance waste that is exempt from control has been declared safe for the population and the environment in terms of its radiation properties. It is no longer included in the scope of radiation control and can be treated as any other combustible municipal waste. The operating model has been approved by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK – Säteilyturvakeskus) and is based on guidelines received from the authorities.
The new operating model does not involve any big changes to the methods, equipment, or facilities used in Olkiluoto in waste handling. The only difference is that instead of two categories, waste will from now on be divided into three categories. Similarly, no modifications, special measures or arrangements will be needed at Rauman Biovoima. The waste received from Olkiluoto will be treated as any other recycled fuel.
The waste to be sent for incineration comprises items such as overalls, gloves, and plastic covers. Any materials not suitable for incineration will be removed from the waste before it is sent. Incineration will be started with a pilot batch of a little less than 10 cubic metres by the end of the year. TVO estimates that approximately 30-80 cubic metres of waste suitable for incineration are generated at Olkiluoto each year.
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