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Local innovation helps pave the way for decommissioning
An 18 month characterisation project using laser and gamma scanning technology within the early primary separation plant at Sellafield has now been completed, paving the way for future decommissioning work to begin.
Used as a characterisation tool, the 3D laser scanning, N-Visage™ modelling system was utilised to identify high radiation ‘hot spot’ areas within the primary separation plant’s shear cell – the facility used to shear the fuel, prior to dissolving.
The N-Visage™ software and scanner system which was developed by local firm REACT Engineering Ltd with endorsed funding from the NDA, the system takes data from the facility and constructs a map of where the radioactive sources are potentially located. This map can then be used to investigate the worker dose consequences of potential decommissioning plans.
Speaking about the characterisation programme, Project Manager John MacGregor said: "We needed to establish whether concentrated high-dose hotspots could be removed and shielded to allow staff access to this part of the facility.
"Although the NVisage™ dose scenarios revealed that the ambient dose was still too high for personnel access, the information on radiological distribution is very valuable and will help us to plan future decommissioning programmes. We hope to use the technology for a number of other projects across the site."
Programme Delivery Manager, Jeremy Hunt added: "Early characterisation of the Shear Cave has enabled us to form a sensible baseline for the future decommissioning operations. This particular technology is also very useful in visualising the survey results and is a powerful tool in communicating plant conditions to stakeholders."
Speaking on behalf of the NDA, Technology Integration Manager Rebecca Trainor said: "The REACT project is an excellent example of innovation and concept development from within the supply chain, being accelerated for deployment on a NDA site. Innovation and technology development will help the NDA fulfil its mission to deliver solutions to the challenge of nuclear clean-up and waste management."
The primary separation plant operated between 1952 and 1964 and was designed to reprocess uranium metal fuel. Following the opening of the Magnox separation plant, operations in this facility ceased and the plant was converted to handle oxide fuel until 1973.
