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 Pickering 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 70 tonnes and can only be moved using a specially designed transporter which travels at a speed of only 4 km per hour.

Regulatory authority� e nuclear industry is one of the most strictly regulated in Canada. � e overall regulation of nuclear reactor operation and waste manage-ment in Canada is the responsibility of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). � e CNSC monitors all activities of the PWMF operation to ensure that these operations pose no undue risks to people or the environment. � e PWMF is also monitored on an ongoing basis by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

SecurityEnsuring the security of the nuclear facilities at Pickering is of paramount importance. In January 2010, Durham Regional Services transferred command for armed response to the OPG Nuclear Site Response Team (NSRT). � e NSRT now has sole responsibility for on-site response.

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.

Pickering Nuclear Waste Management employees are well trained and regard safety for employees, the public and the environment as their top priority. � ey have accomplished signi� 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.

� rough employing highly quali� ed sta� , 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 signi� cant risk to employees, the public or the environment.

The storage of used nuclear fuel� e Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF) is designed to safely store Pickering’s used nuclear fuel. � e PWMF is similar to dry storage facilities in operation at the Western and Darlington sites and consists of an amenities area, a dry storage container processing build-ing and storage buildings. Approximately 35 sta� work at the PWMF 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 Pickering reactors is transferred to the PWMF for interim storage until a long term fuel management strategy for Canada

is implemented. � e facility began operating in July 1994 when the � rst storage building was completed and the operating systems were tested. � e PWMF has been planned to provide su� cient capacity to store the used fuel from the Pickering reactors until the end of their service life. Planned as a two-phase project, Phase I came into operation early in 1994 (with the construction of two storage buildings) and can store approxi-mately 650 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). Phase II located on the site east of the existing Phase I will store approximately 1000 DSCs. � e � rst of two buildings for this phase was placed in service in 2009.

� e used reactor components removed during the successful retubing of the Pickering A reactors in the 1980s are stored in specially designed and shielded Dry Storage Modules (DSMs). � e DSMs are large cylin-drical casks made of reinforced heavy concrete and thick carbon steel inner and outer liners (shown top right of the aerial photo above).

Our commitment to safety and the environment

• OPG has been safely managing radioactive waste for more than 40 years

• PWMF staff regards safety and the environment as their top priority

• PWMF has a ten year operating licence that will require renewal December 2018

• PWMF is certifi ed under the international environ-mental ISO 14001 environmental management stan-dard since 2000 and the OHSAS 18001 Certifi cation Health and Safety Management System since 2009

• PWMF has had no lost time accidents since July 1994Each 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.

Pickering Waste Management FacilityThe Dry Storage Container (DSC)

for used nuclear fuel

Design, print, distribution: OPG Offi ce Services 11 2010

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

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.

Powersupply

To Control Room

Powersupply

HeLeak

Detector

Into Pool

ACTIVE Ventilation

System

VAC

ACTIVE Ventilation

System

VACHe

Dry Storage Container (DSC)delivered from manufacturerto Pickering 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 Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF)

Operations at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS)used fuel storage bay area

Transfer operations between PNGS and PWMF

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

Storage of used nuclear fuel The used fuel dry storage processWhen the fuel bundles are removed from the reactors at the Pickering site, they are radioactive and need to be managed safely and responsibly for an extended period of time. The fi rst step is to cool the fuel bundles under water in specially engineered used fuel bays in the station.

As the Pickering 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 PWMF on the station site. � e containers - called Dry Stor-age Containers (DSCs) - are engineered to last at least 50 years and will provide safe, interim storage until a long-term management program is in place. � is dry storage process is a proven, safe and regulated tech-nology. 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 Pickering, Ontario Power Generation also has dry storage facilities, that have been in operation at Darlington, since 2008, and at the Bruce site, since 2002.

� e 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.

Loading and storing containers� e process of loading a dry storage container with used nuclear fuel be-gins by submersing the base of the 60-tonne container into one of Pickering’s water � lled used fuel bays. Once in the storage

bay, four modules each con-taining 96 used fuel bundles are loaded into the container under water.

� e used fuel bundles have been stored in the water � lled bay for at least 10 years, dur-ing which they have cooled and become less radioactive. � e lid of the container is then installed and secured to the base with a clamp. � e container, now holding 384 used fuel bundles is removed from the bay, drained, de-contaminated and vacuum dried. It is then moved to the PWMF with one of the cus-tom designed large transport vehicles. Once received at the PWMF, the lid is welded to the container’s base (with ten passes). After the inside of the container has been vacuum dried, it is � lled with helium gas. � e drain port is then seal-welded. � e helium gas provides a means of leak detection for the sealed container and cre-ates an inert atmosphere for the stored used fuel. Before being placed into storage, the container undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it

is absolutely leak tight. Prior to placing the container into storage, safeguard seals are applied by an inspec-

tor 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 containers.

2 3

The transporter moves DSCs containing used fuel from the station to the processing building at the PWMF.

Used fuel is stored for at least 10 years under water in fuel bays at Pickering 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 Pickering Waste Management Facility.

Used fuel is stored for at least 10

Fuel bundle Fuel bundle

Powersupply

To Control Room

Powersupply

HeLeak

Detector

Into Pool

ACTIVE Ventilation

System

VAC

ACTIVE Ventilation

System

VACHe

Dry Storage Container (DSC)delivered from manufacturerto Pickering 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 Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF)

Operations at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS)used fuel storage bay area

Transfer operations between PNGS and PWMF

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

Storage of used nuclear fuel The used fuel dry storage processWhen the fuel bundles are removed from the reactors at the Pickering site, they are radioactive and need to be managed safely and responsibly for an extended period of time. The fi rst step is to cool the fuel bundles under water in specially engineered used fuel bays in the station.

As the Pickering 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 PWMF on the station site. � e containers - called Dry Stor-age Containers (DSCs) - are engineered to last at least 50 years and will provide safe, interim storage until a long-term management program is in place. � is dry storage process is a proven, safe and regulated tech-nology. 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 Pickering, Ontario Power Generation also has dry storage facilities, that have been in operation at Darlington, since 2008, and at the Bruce site, since 2002.

� e 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.

Loading and storing containers� e process of loading a dry storage container with used nuclear fuel be-gins by submersing the base of the 60-tonne container into one of Pickering’s water � lled used fuel bays. Once in the storage

bay, four modules each con-taining 96 used fuel bundles are loaded into the container under water.

� e used fuel bundles have been stored in the water � lled bay for at least 10 years, dur-ing which they have cooled and become less radioactive. � e lid of the container is then installed and secured to the base with a clamp. � e container, now holding 384 used fuel bundles is removed from the bay, drained, de-contaminated and vacuum dried. It is then moved to the PWMF with one of the cus-tom designed large transport vehicles. Once received at the PWMF, the lid is welded to the container’s base (with ten passes). After the inside of the container has been vacuum dried, it is � lled with helium gas. � e drain port is then seal-welded. � e helium gas provides a means of leak detection for the sealed container and cre-ates an inert atmosphere for the stored used fuel. Before being placed into storage, the container undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it

is absolutely leak tight. Prior to placing the container into storage, safeguard seals are applied by an inspec-

tor 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 containers.

2 3

The transporter moves DSCs containing used fuel from the station to the processing building at the PWMF.

Used fuel is stored for at least 10 years under water in fuel bays at Pickering 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 Pickering Waste Management Facility.

Used fuel is stored for at least 10

Fuel bundle Fuel bundle

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 Pickering 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 70 tonnes and can only be moved using a specially designed transporter which travels at a speed of only 4 km per hour.

Regulatory authority� e nuclear industry is one of the most strictly regulated in Canada. � e overall regulation of nuclear reactor operation and waste manage-ment in Canada is the responsibility of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). � e CNSC monitors all activities of the PWMF operation to ensure that these operations pose no undue risks to people or the environment. � e PWMF is also monitored on an ongoing basis by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

SecurityEnsuring the security of the nuclear facilities at Pickering is of paramount importance. In January 2010, Durham Regional Services transferred command for armed response to the OPG Nuclear Site Response Team (NSRT). � e NSRT now has sole responsibility for on-site response.

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.

Pickering Nuclear Waste Management employees are well trained and regard safety for employees, the public and the environment as their top priority. � ey have accomplished signi� 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.

� rough employing highly quali� ed sta� , 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 signi� cant risk to employees, the public or the environment.

The storage of used nuclear fuel� e Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF) is designed to safely store Pickering’s used nuclear fuel. � e PWMF is similar to dry storage facilities in operation at the Western and Darlington sites and consists of an amenities area, a dry storage container processing build-ing and storage buildings. Approximately 35 sta� work at the PWMF 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 Pickering reactors is transferred to the PWMF for interim storage until a long term fuel management strategy for Canada

is implemented. � e facility began operating in July 1994 when the � rst storage building was completed and the operating systems were tested. � e PWMF has been planned to provide su� cient capacity to store the used fuel from the Pickering reactors until the end of their service life. Planned as a two-phase project, Phase I came into operation early in 1994 (with the construction of two storage buildings) and can store approxi-mately 650 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). Phase II located on the site east of the existing Phase I will store approximately 1000 DSCs. � e � rst of two buildings for this phase was placed in service in 2009.

� e used reactor components removed during the successful retubing of the Pickering A reactors in the 1980s are stored in specially designed and shielded Dry Storage Modules (DSMs). � e DSMs are large cylin-drical casks made of reinforced heavy concrete and thick carbon steel inner and outer liners (shown top right of the aerial photo above).

Our commitment to safety and the environment

• OPG has been safely managing radioactive waste for more than 40 years

• PWMF staff regards safety and the environment as their top priority

• PWMF has a ten year operating licence that will require renewal December 2018

• PWMF is certifi ed under the international environ-mental ISO 14001 environmental management stan-dard since 2000 and the OHSAS 18001 Certifi cation Health and Safety Management System since 2009

• PWMF has had no lost time accidents since July 1994Each 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.

Pickering Waste Management FacilityThe Dry Storage Container (DSC)

for used nuclear fuel

Design, print, distribution: OPG Offi ce Services 11 2010

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

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.