S.A.Robotics

Client	United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Facility	Windscale Piles Nuclear Power Plant
Location	Sellafield, England, UK

S.A.Robotics provided engineering and design services to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) for the Windscale Piles 1 and 2 decontamination and demolition (D&D) projects. S.A.Robotics evaluated similar and approved US reactor decommissioning plans and developed a Decommissioning Plan template for the Piles reactors to facilitate their accelerated D&D planning process. A multi-disciplined team was assembled to perform decommissioning planning analyses, develop technical approach, evaluate regulatory restrictions and requirements, determine safety case implications, identify industrial safety concerns, identify any radiation protection measures, establish engineering controls, perform structural engineering analyses, and provide project management.

In conjunction with UKAEA and its subcontractors, summary schedules and cost estimates (using basis of estimate approach) have been developed using enhanced and refined approaches to the decommissioning processes. A ProEngineer® Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) depiction of a proposed technical approach using volumetric quantification of waste streams by waste type, packaging process flow analysis and human factor engineering for resource loading has been prepared. A scheme has been developed for a top down – center out decommissioning approach via a single biological shield penetration to remove: fuel and isotopes, the core assembly, reactor internals, biological shield components, auxiliary components, and activated/contaminated concrete. Unique applications involve long reach, advanced carbon fiber, remotely controlled, multi-tooled manipulators designed by S.A.Robotics to dismantle, size reduce, and place waste items in containers (handle once). A temporary containment structure on top of the reactor biological shield in the reactor building for decommissioning operations has been conceptually designed along with air locks for waste staging and a maintenance bay for equipment, while avoiding the need for new construction.

S.A.Robotics performed seismic analyses in support of the proposed reactor D&D program. A detailed solid model of the main structure was created in a finite element analysis (FEA) program. Natural frequencies of the structure were found and their influence accounted for during a dynamic seismic event.

Several methodology descriptions with equipment requirements and layouts have been developed for the Piles project addressing the key equipment items and key dismantlement processes.

S.A.Robotics also developed a “virtual” Decommissioning Plan for the Piles project, which is an innovative approach using clear animations to illustrate the D&D process, from mobilization to a Brownfield condition. These animations provide a clear understanding of the process and enhance written portions of the document so that planned D&D activities can be understood by various interested stakeholders, including members of the public, facility management, and regulatory authorities.