Toronto: Ontario Power Generation’s Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS) announced an innovative collaboration agreement September 17 between Laurentis Energy Partners (LEP) and BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT) to develop technology that will assist in the recycling of heavy water at OPG’s nuclear facilities.
The collaboration between LEP and BWXT will develop new technology to recycle heavy water used to cool Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactors such as those in OPG’s Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations. Once recycled, the heavy water will be utilized in a growing number of non-nuclear applications that include pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics and next generation electronics including fibre optics.
An OPG representative explained that heavy water used in OPG’s CANDU nuclear fleet slowly accumulates chemical and isotope impurities over the course of reactor operation. Some of those impurities are radioactive. The “recycling” process between LEP and BWXT will involve first segregating and then separating heavy water to its basic constituents to remove impurities. With the unwanted elements removed, the recycling and reuse of the decontaminated heavy water will continue routinely at OPG’s nuclear generating stations. The decontaminated heavy water from decommissioned Pickering units, and eventually from Darlington when it ultimately ceases operations as well, can be used in other industries.
OPG recently launched the CCNS to support sustainable innovative solutions for the clean energy lifecycle of nuclear infrastructure. By identifying opportunities and aligning projects, the CCNS will lead the industry to provide a safe, cost effective, environmentally and socially responsible decommissioning of OPG’s nuclear assets.
“The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability provides the opportunity for industry leaders to combine their research and expertise to support innovative and sustainable solutions in nuclear lifecycle management,” said Carla Carmichael, Vice President of Nuclear Decommissioning Strategies for OPG. “This agreement between Laurentis Energy Partners and BWXT is a great example of the CCNS in action.”