Robot system aids Sellafield nuclear decommissioning

Working together with specialist contractor SA Robotics, Sellafield Ltd has carried out a challenging phase of work in a high radiation area in order to prepare for the decommissioning of one of the 'hazard' plants at the Sellafield complex in Cumbria, UK.

The work was carried out to remove a significant hazard associated with the 60 year old First Generations Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP). A unique Powered Remote Manipulator Arm (PRM) first isolated and removed pipework from the pond and then cleaned and sealed a contaminated pond wall. The redundant pipework posed a significant risk and was isolated with special sealants before removal. The robotic arm then scabbled the wall and applied a specialist coating to seal the concrete.

Paul Farran, Head of Projects, FGMSP said: "The operation demanded surgical precision in an industrial context and the completion of this vital piece of work helps us get on with the job of retrieving nuclear wastes from the pond.

"We've worked with specialist contractors SA Robotics to develop a robot that could work in a high radiation area, where obviously we couldn't send our workforce. We've also drawn on space age technology by using software originally developed by NASA, to control our robot. In addition new resins and foams had to be developed in conjunction with AMEC to both key and seal the pond wall, and to coat and isolate the pipework under extreme conditions."

The successful completion of this work will now allow Sellafield Ltd to empty the pond and carry out the eventual decommissioning of the building.