New store is ready to take on boxes
A key facility needed to store legacy waste has taken another step closer to receiving waste.
![The test waste box being lowered into BEPPS-DIF](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/142599/s300_BEPPS_DIF_Box_GOV.jpg)
The test storage box successfully being lowered into the vault
The Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store – Direct Import Facility which will take on and store waste from our Pile Fuel Cladding Silo has successfully completed its first dry run of a storage box being transferred from road, to its long term storage vault.
It’s the Direct Import Facility part of the operation that will bring the 3 metre cubed boxes full of waste safely and securely into our stores.
This high-tech facility is the vital bit between the waste coming out of the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo and being stored in one of 4 product stores.
The current date for real waste to start coming through the facility is summer 2022.
The facility will import 3m3 boxes of waste into 2 vaults designed to provide storage for a century.
There are 2 routes into the facility – one directly from our Box Encapsulation Plant and the other by road directly into Direct Import Facility. It’s this vital road link which has been successfully tested.
![The test storage box being transferred by road](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/142600/BEPPS_DIF_-_Road_GOV.jpg)
The test storage box being transferred by road
Head of the project, Jeff Gaines said:
The test is to prove the Direct Import Facility and vault equipment will operate as one, to provide confidence ahead of our full plant performance demonstration. This testing was a ‘dummy run’, undertaking the first full cycle of a package from the road bay to the vault.
It was a complete success with no faults or failures. In addition, the project team welcomed our operators who were able to validate their instructions whilst getting some hands-on training on the equipment ahead of handover of the Direct Import Facility area to operations in March.
More information on the Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store – Direct Import Facility:
High tech route for silo waste
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