The development and application of innovative technology is an important part of the NDA’s drive to decommission and clean up the existing public sector nuclear legacy. To encourage opportunities for nearer-term innovation, the NDA recently held a technology demonstration competition with the supply chain to demonstrate technologies that have the potential to be of benefit across the NDA’s mission.
The NDA’s Head of Research and Development, Dr Melanie Brownridge said
This technology demonstration project is a prime example of our commitment to invest in innovation and the development of a vibrant supply chain. The application of laser technologies from other industries offers the opportunity to secure and develop good practice for NDA’s mission and beyond.
Contaminated concrete and pipework present major decommissioning challenges in terms of the total volumes of material to be treated, radiation levels present and the number of facilities affected. This project will demonstrate the capabilities of lasers for surface removal of contaminated concrete structures and size-reduction of vessels and pipework. The recent advent of high power solid state lasers and optical fibre delivery of the laser energy allows the laser power source to be positioned well away from the work and offers robust, easily deployed processes suitable for remote use in nuclear decommissioning environments.
TWI Project Manager Paul Hilton said
The objective is to enable Site Licence Companies and supply chain companies to evaluate process capability and operating costs. They will then be in a position to insert the technology with the knowledge that underlying technical and engineering issues have already been addressed.
TWI will demonstrate the integration of an industrial laser with the necessary deployment and control systems, together with options for controlling and handling the debris produced from the scabbling process. In addition to providing system design and process capability information, the twelve-month project will demonstrate the level of operator skill required.
Effective communication with potential end-users will be essential for achieving widespread awareness of the technologies demonstrated and information generated’ said Paul Hilton. ‘This will involve a project website and, later in the project, activities such as process demonstration workshops, training sessions, company visits and one-to-one expert assistance.
