Barbara Dunnett

Affiliation

National Nuclear Laboratory

Biography

I have been in the nuclear industry for 25 years, carrying out chemistry research. I have considerable knowledge on all aspects of the chemistry and treatment of high level radioactive waste. This knowledge has been achieved by leading numerous research projects in evaporation, storage and vitrification of highly active liquors (HAL). As reprocessing operations comes to an end, focus is turning to removing radioactive residue left in the plant, a phase referred to as Post Operational Clean Out (POCO). For the last 12 years I have led research in this area, in particular removal of radioactive solids remaining in Highly Active Storage Tanks (HASTs) which will be implemented on plant when current operations cease. This will allow the radioactivity to be removed, leaving the tanks in the safest possible state prior to decommissioning.