Tim Hicks

Tim Hicks

Consultant Staff and Management

Dr. Timothy W. Hicks has degrees in applied mathematics from Aston University in Birmingham (BSc) and Bristol University (PhD). Since joining Galson Sciences in 1994, he has worked on a range of projects in radioactive waste management covering storage and disposal issues.

He has developed a broad knowledge of radioactive waste disposal concepts being researched and adopted worldwide. His work has ranged from research into problems in fluid flow, heat transfer, rock mechanics and radionuclide transport in geological environments to higher level studies in repository performance assessment methodologies and applications. Recent work has included managing a project for the NDA RWMD to identify potential concepts for the disposal of UK ILW based on a review of concepts being considered worldwide, and a project for Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to develop FEP (feature, event and process) screening discussions in support of the 2008 licence application for the proposed Yucca Mountain HLW and SF repository in the US. Also, on behalf of SSM, Tim is leading quality audits of the use of experimental results, data and codes in repository safety assessments in Sweden.

Past involvement in repository safety assessments has included work for SNL to develop and review technical input to the WIPP repository Compliance Certification Application in 1996, including FEP analysis and scenario development. As part of this work, Tim was involved in the development of the OECD/NEA database of FEPs relevant to postclosure safety of radioactive waste repositories. On behalf of the Environment Agency, Tim participated in the review of the 2002 post-closure safety case for the LLW disposal facility near Drigg in the UK, which included leading reviews of safety assessment codes, repository gas generation and migration processes, and key parameters affecting repository performance. Tim was also involved in options appraisals for radioactive waste management on behalf of UKAEA, which included the development of conceptual, mathematical, and numerical models to support the assessment of LLW disposal options at Dounreay in Scotland.

Research work has included co-ordination of an EC project to study the influence of fault zones on groundwater flow and radionuclide migration from an underground repository, as well as the development of a model of organic-matter facilitated radionuclide transport in clays (POPCORN) as part of the EC TRANCOM project. He was also involved in a project for SKI to assess colloid-facilitated radionuclide transport from a repository using the COLLAGE code. On behalf of Nirex in the UK, Tim led a series of numerical modelling studies of thermo-mechanical effects associated with the co-located disposal of ILW and HLW/spent fuel (using the HOTWASTE code), and has undertaken reviews of gas generation and transport in a geological disposal facility, including a study of carbon-14 gas generation and migration. For Nagra, he undertook a study of the potential hydrodynamical effects of earthquakes in the Opalinus Clay repository investigation site in Switzerland, and on behalf of the Environment Agency, he undertook research on mapping fault hydrogeology. Other quantitative work has included a project for UKAEA involving the use of the MODFLOW groundwater flow and transport model to assess the possible migration and potential for detection of radionuclides from the Wet Silo at Dounreay in the event of a leak occurring, and, for SEPA, Tim led a project to determine potential sources of tritium detected in leachates from Scottish landfills

Tim has also worked extensively on assessments of nuclear criticality safety in relation to the disposal of waste packages that contain fissile material. For Nirex, he led the development of a suite of criticality safety assessments to determine fissile material content limits for waste packages that contain low-enriched uranium, separated plutonium, irradiated natural uranium, or highly-enriched uranium. He also undertook a review of the use of depleted uranium as a criticality control in a repository environment. On behalf of SKI, he undertook a criticality analysis of spent fuel containers under repository conditions. Work for the Environment Agency included a review of the treatment of criticality in repository post-closure safety assessments.

In the area of radioactive waste storage, Tim provided advice to Nirex on long-term monitoring and inspection requirements. He has also undertaken extensive reviews of ILW storage practices worldwide on behalf of the NII, and has provided advice to NII, UKAEA and Magnox Electric on ILW store options, monitoring, and inspection.

In the area of stakeholder engagement and communication in radioactive waste disposal, Tim co-ordinated the UK component of the EC RISCOM project, which aimed to develop and evaluate methods of dialogue. He is continuing this work in the EC ARGONA project.