SNC-Lavalin’s (Montreal, Canada; www.snclavalin.com) Spinionic solutions prominently feature SpinChem AB (Umeå, Sweden; www.spinchem.com) patented Rotating Bed Reactor (RBR) technology which, adapted and applied to the nuclear field, provides an innovative and cost-effective alternative to fixed column ion-exchange plants. The RBR device retains the solid phase as a packed bed inside a rotating cylinder. As the device spins, a continuously circulating flow develops. Reaction solution is rapidly suctioned to the bottom of the RBR vessel, percolated through the solid-phase media, and quickly returned to the storage tank or vessel.
This unique ability removes selective radionuclide contaminants through circulating the tank contents by a centrifugal force and keeps compartmentalized materials separated to be disposed of. The technology can be deployed directly into legacy tanks, avoiding the need to build additional treatment plants on already congested sites. This agreement builds on two years of collaboration, and the technology has been thoroughly tested for its successful application for the nuclear industry.
Sandy Taylor, president of SNC-Lavalin’s nuclear sector, says: “Collaboration and innovation are two of SNC-Lavalin’s core values. This is a great example of us not only collaborating with a technology start-up for our mutual benefit, but also introducing an innovative product to the nuclear industry. It has market-disrupting potential and will significantly improve the way radioactive water is made safe. The deployment of Spinionic solutions to our clients around the globe will deliver them significant savings over traditional methods of waste water treatment.”
Emil Byström, CEO, SpinChem AB, says: “The development of the SpinChem RBR technology has been a long and complex process. Our validation of the technology in the biotransformation and contaminant extraction areas has been one of the reasons we now feel confident that we can contribute a novel process for radioactive waste clean-up, which is a highly important global challenge.”
Anthony Rees, chairman, SpinChem AB’s Board, says: “This is an important step in SpinChem AB’s development. Collaboration with SNC-Lavalin, a major multinational E&C company with expertise in nuclear waste treatment, is a mark of the rapidly maturing SpinChem RBR technology and of our shared objective of making a meaningful contribution to environmental remediation.”