Challenge statement - Directional decontamination head deployment into large, congested, highly radioactive vessels.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd is looking for technology that can deploy an ultra-high pressure water jetting (UHPWJ) head or other tools into a vessel that can:<ul><li>Cover the full internal surface of the vessel including internal pipework and structures.</li><li>Operate from a nozzle to surface metal distance of 50mm to 100mm.</li></ul>The aim is to decontaminate the vessel by removing the entire internal surface layer of metal.Access into the vessel is achieved via 150mm inspection ports that pass through the 1.5m thick concrete cell wall, then through a 150mm diameter access port on the metal wall of the vessel itself.Technology is being developed to cut an access port into a vessel and then fit a removable access plug through which any technological solution could be deployed.Some vessels have open tops or engineered access ports, but many don’t and would need access to be created. Therefore, the smaller and lighter the solution the better.Aggressive chemicals can be deployed by filling the entire vessel undergoing POCO; however, this produces unacceptable volumes of effluent. The ability to spray chemicals onto the internal surfaces of the vessel would use less of the reagent and reduce the effluent challenge. Ultra-high pressure water jetting (UHPWJ) or electrochemical methods would remove the need for reagents, if the deployment challenge can be solved.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.An interactive webinar will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday 7th August 2024 where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask any questions. Attendance is free - <a href="https://forms.fis360.com/fis360ltd/form/GameChangerswebinarDirectionaldecontaminationheadd/formperma/auAJyCLp3LGqE3HzrUXRrRrIPdc4PIgyU9pHh74IAZY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">register here</a>.The deadline for applications for this challenge is 2pm on Wednesday 21 August 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Directional decontamination head deployment into large, congested, highly radioactive vessels

Post Operational Clean Out (POCO) of the Sellafield site requires the internal cleaning of large, highly radioactive vessels with complex internal configurations. Sellafield Ltd is seeking innovative solutions for deploying vessel cleaning heads and ultra-high/high-pressure water jetting or spray nozzles to apply decontaminating chemicals and foams inside these structures.The vessels' internal structures can include cooling/heating coils; fluid mixing and transfer devices; instrument dip-legs; internal vessels; and pipe support brackets. All of these internal structures require full surface decontamination. Any tool deployed to clean these internal structures would need to be able to navigate around them whilst cleaning them.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking innovative solutions that will deliver improvements over the current techniques used for deploying vessel cleaning heads into large, highly radioactive vessels with complex internal configurations.

Challenge statement - Fixatives for containment of alpha contamination in gloveboxes.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd would like to identify a fixative that securely fixes airborne alpha particles in place, along with an application method that can be deployed through a 150mm diameter glove port. The fixative solution must be chemically compatible with the glovebox materials, stable under ambient conditions and be as long-lasting as possible. Further details can be found in the “Functional Requirements” section of the challenge statement.Due to the risks of a breach of containment posed by ageing gloveboxes, a solution is desired as soon as practicable. As operations at the Analytical Services Laboratory at Sellafield, which contains many alpha contaminated gloveboxes, are being phased out, this further exacerbates the need for a fixative solution. Other methodologies have been trialled; however, Sellafield Ltd is looking to improve upon these.The ideal scenario would be the capability to coat a glovebox sufficiently for it to be transported without an outer box or crate. Treatment that enables an empty glovebox to act as a container for waste would be an added benefit. Due to the complex states of gloveboxes across site, and the resulting requirements on fixative technology, Sellafield Ltd understands this will be a challenge.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.An interactive webinar will take place at 10:30am on Thursday 25th July 2024 where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask any questions. Attendance is free - <a href="https://forms.fis360.com/fis360ltd/form/GameChangerswebinarFixativesforcontainmentofalphac/formperma/u93b8-oxOrgtBNImB7LQWRDc_s03eAg1fGWbjJSELAI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">register here</a>.The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Thursday 15th August 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Fixatives for containment of alpha contamination in gloveboxes

There are approximately 800 gloveboxes across the Sellafield site, made up of a variety of materials such as steel, plastics and elastomers, that contain radioactive material including alpha particles. Due to the advanced age of many of the gloveboxes, they may fail within the next few years, leading to a breach of containment.Sellafield Ltd would like to explore options for effective, strong and durable fixatives that would provide containment of alpha contaminated material within gloveboxes selected for decommissioning, preventing the radioactive contamination from becoming airborne during preparation and transfer of the gloveboxes for processing.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore options for effective, strong and durable fixatives that would provide containment of alpha contaminated material within gloveboxes selected for decommissioning.

Challenge statement - Non-invasive imaging of in-ground structures.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd are looking for a solution to provide a 3D image/model of the subsurface around buildings where as-built records may not be as comprehensive as desired.It is anticipated that successful solution providers should be able to provide a desk study to demonstrate the feasibility of a non-invasive technique.Sellafield Ltd are interested in emerging technologies and techniques such as muon tomography, quantum hall sensing and quantum micro gravity. Please note that the scope of this challenge is not restricted to making use of these specific examples.It may be possible to deploy a device in one of the blind tubes, within the wider Sellafield blind-tube network, for a number of weeks before moving it to another in order to build up information and potentially stitch together surveys. It is acknowledged that there would likely be the need to reconstruct a significant amount of information for presentation or interrogation.A solution to this challenge would be considered to have broad applicability across the site and the mapping of buried services would provide an additional benefit.However, there is a current imperative to gather better information in relation to a known leak from a building on the Sellafield site, which is the single biggest source of in-ground contamination. The current leak from the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo Original Building (MSSS OB) and first extension was declared in 2019. The Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS) at Sellafield comprise an Original Building constructed in 1962 and three subsequent extensions constructed between 1972 and 1982. The silos contain magnesium cladding or ‘swarf’ that was stripped from Magnox fuel prior to reprocessing and stored under a layer of cover water. The leak rate is around 2.5m3 per day from the Original Building, which is embedded in the ground by approximately 6m.Due to the method of building construction and subsequent, poorly documented, interventions in the ground around the MSSS OB and first extension, the form of in-ground engineering is poorly constrained. There is evidence to suggest that engineering features may be influencing the migration of contamination away from the leak site, and gaining a better understanding of these features would help with developing mitigation strategies.The Original Building goes about 6m underground. Concrete screeding to stop the collapse of excavated slopes was used during construction and these features may be influencing leak migration. The first evidence of a leak occurred when building the first extension at which time considerable excavation and backfilling was undertaken. However, only limited records of the full extent of these works are available. The construction method used changed between the first extension and second extension being built.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/933652837/"></iframe> The deadline for applications for this challenge is 4pm on Friday 26th April 2024 (revised from Friday 19th April).

Non-invasive imaging of in-ground structures

Sellafield Ltd is seeking technologies and approaches to identify the presence and composition of subsurface structures in the vicinity of buildings on the Sellafield site.Like many industrial sites of its age, Sellafield has a complex history of site use including the addition and removal of buildings over an extended period of time. This has resulted in a legacy of redundant physical forms both above and below ground level. This challenge is focussed on emerging technologies and techniques that can produce a 3D image/model of structures beneath ground, in particular around legacy waste storage facilities such as the Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS).

Sellafield Ltd is seeking technologies and approaches to identify the presence and composition of subsurface structures in the vicinity of buildings on the Sellafield site.

Challenge statement - Measuring waste bed liquor levels.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd needs to ascertain where the liquor level sits within a waste bed of sludge that is being stored under a damp/dry storage regime. This is analogous to measuring the level of groundwater in clay or soil.If there were large differential liquor levels between the six compartments in the MSSS OB, an imbalance of loading would be created on the internal walls due to different hydrostatic pressures on either side of the wall. The capability to confidently measure the liquor levels within the waste bed would allow mitigating action to be taken to ensure that the structural integrity of the internal walls is not exceeded.Sellafield Ltd are open to approaches that either measure the water level directly or infer the water level via other methods of measurement. Measurement of the pressure being exerted on the walls that does not provide measurement of the liquor level in the waste bed would not be discounted but would only partially satisfy the requirements of this challenge.Any solutions to this challenge deployed within the storage compartments of the MSSS OB would need to be radiation tolerant as the compartments contain Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). Sellafield Ltd are open to both in-situ and ex-situ solutions to this challenge.Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions that can reach the end of the Game Changers Proof of Concept project phase by the middle of 2025. At this point, it is expected that a design scheme would be available with the technology ready for active deployment.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/923467866/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 4pm on Wednesday 27th March 2024.

Measuring waste bed liquor levels

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technology which may be used to measure the liquor level within sludge beds inside waste storage silos. Approaches that either measure the water level directly or infer the water level via alternative methods of measurement are of interest. In-situ and ex-situ solutions to this challenge are invited.The Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) Original Building (OB) has six compartments containing corroded sludge consisting mainly of magnesium hydroxide, uranium and uranium oxide. The compartments are regularly topped up with water to keep the sludge under a head of liquor. It is important to be able to measure liquor levels within the waste bed to understand the pressures being applied to the walls of the MSSS OB. The essence of this challenge is to find a method of measuring the liquor level within a waste bed that has been allowed to drain naturally.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technology which may be used to measure the liquor level within sludge beds inside waste storage silos.

Game Changers General Applications.pdf

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General applications

If you think that you have an idea which might be of interest to any of our partners, please submit an application to tell us more.You can learn about research areas which are of particular interest by reading our <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">partner pages</a>.Information about the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/projects" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">projects</a> we're currently funding should also help you to decide whether your technology might have application at Sellafield, NNL or Dounreay.In addition, you might like to read some of the historic challenge statements published on our site.If you'd like to explore your idea with us before submitting an application, please get in touch.Please note that applications can take up to 12 weeks to be assessed as funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis.

Applications for the Game Changers scheme are always welcome for any project or technology which could support nuclear innovation. If you have an idea which you think might be of interest to Sellafield, NNL or Dounreay we'd love to hear from you.

Challenge statement - Non-destructive inspection of redundant flasks.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield is looking for a solution that can provide the following information without the flasks being moved or damaged. There are two aspects:Identify the flask contents(in order of priority)<ol><li>Identify the presence of any remaining spent fuel/fuel debris</li><li>Identify the presence of any liquids/sludge</li><li>Identify the presence of any other solids (i.e. flask furniture)</li><li>Locate any solid, liquid or sludge within the flask</li><li>Quantify any solid, liquid or sludge within the flask</li></ol>Radiometric characterisation(in order of priority)<ol><li>Estimate the maximum dose rate expected if the flask lid was opened (the maximum dose rate criterion for R3 areas would normally be 100 μSv/h beta gamma)</li><li>Have limits of detection that enable the measurement of the internal loose surface contamination down to 40.0 Bq/cm² α or 400 Bq/cm2 β, and the airborne contamination down to 1.0 DAC (Derived Airbourne Concentration)</li><li>Confirm that the radioactive fingerprint is credible (if it aligns to a known fingerprint)</li><li>Determine total activity in Bq and specific activity in Bq/g (where the mass of the flask is known)</li><li>Indicate location of hotspots of radiation and contamination</li><li>Provide information on whether contamination is airborne, on the surface, or has penetrated the material</li></ol>This is a complex challenge and Sellafield Ltd is interested in technologies that provide either whole or partial solutions. In addition, it is key that any proposed solutions:<ul><li>Are suitable for use with a wide variety of flask types, and not be limited to specific dimensions, materials or conditions</li><li>Work in situ, without the flask being moved</li><li>Work inside buildings or outside in the open</li><li>Are transportable in a lift approximately 1200 x 1000mm, with a 2.5Te weight limit</li><li>Only act on the outside of the flasks, which must not be opened during the inspection</li></ul>The buildings that currently store some of the flasks are due to be demolished in around 2 years. Sellafield Ltd is looking to support the development of a solution that can be used on-site within this timeframe.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/911202612/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 2pm on Monday 26th February 2024.

Non-destructive inspection of redundant flasks

Sellafield Ltd requires a precise understanding of the inventory on-site to support the clean-up and disposal of legacy materials. This includes a stock of over 200 flasks – large metal structures with thick walls that shield radiation. Flasks have been used widely across the Sellafield site to store and transport radioactive materials. The flasks vary significantly in dimensions, mass, age and radioactivity levels. Sellafield Ltd is looking for solutions that can verify the contents of each flask, including radiometric characterisation, without the flask being moved or damaged.

Sellafield Ltd is looking for solutions to identify the contents and internal activity levels of flasks that have been used to store or transport radioactive materials, without moving, opening or damaging the flasks.

Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring 2.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd are seeking remote monitoring devices that can:<ul><li>Provide regular cell environmental data remotely (temperature, humidity and salinity)</li><li>Provide an alert if alpha radiation levels reach a threshold value</li><li>Be able to transmit measured environmental data from inside the cell through the concrete cell wall to a receiver at the charge face, where it will be transmitted by Wi-Fi or existing plant IT infrastructure to a standalone laptop</li><li>Function within a modified dummy package in SNM package stores, which is a radioactive environment</li><li>Operate for 30+ years</li></ul>In addition to the monitoring device, the solution should consider how the signal will be transmitted from the outside of the cell to the control room several tens of metres through the building fabric. There are pre-existing cables that run up to the control room. The data will be managed through interaction with a user interface that would enable operators to visualise data trends, although this is not an expected output of any feasibility study.Alternative methods of measuring environmental conditions will be considered a bonus.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/886638379/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 6pm on Wednesday 29th November 2023.

Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring of nuclear stores

Sellafield Ltd is responsible for the safe, long-term storage of Special Nuclear Materials (SNM), which are the result of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. Environmental monitoring of the SNM package stores is necessary to demonstrate that the packages remain in a stable environment. Sellafield Ltd would like to explore the installation of sensors within an empty SNM package that can regularly wirelessly transmit data about the environment within the SNM stores.The solution must be able to transmit data from inside the cell through the concrete cell wall to a receiver at the charge face, then onto the control room. Sellafield are seeking a proof of concept within 12 - 18 months, and a deployable solution by 2026.

Sellafield Ltd would like to remotely monitor the environment inside long-term nuclear product storage facilities by using sensors that can regularly transmit data wirelessly.

Challenge Statement - Autonomous Transportation of Nuclear Materials.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd is planning to bring the new storage facility into active commission within 5 years. A solution to fully automate package transfers without the reliance on manual methods is desirable within this timeframe. Sellafield Ltd is looking for a prototype or high-level concept (or combination thereof) in the first instance, with the opportunity for further development to Proof of Concept (PoC) through the Game Changers programme, completing before April 2025. The concept must be able to cope with the increased frequency of journeys. Successful operation is paramount, and any solution must provide constant communications with a base (and ensure communications with CNC). If the solution were to break down, then the solution must be capable of flagging a change in its status to base. Safeguarding of the transfers must be manageable and an eye on approach through the use of technology such as cameras must be available continuously to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (at all times).Additionally, it is an aspiration to have an intelligent transport system that can understand the overall layout of the Sellafield site in order to service various plants and stores and have the capability to understand obstacles and road closures, as well as navigating and abiding with unmarked crossroads and pedestrian crossings. The Sellafield site is unique in its layout and much of the typical road signage you would commonly see on highways is not always present in some less populated areas of the site.Sellafield Ltd is interested in receiving applications from organisations capable of delivering a full system. Applications outlining how sub-systems of an intelligent delivery system could be implemented are also of interest; for example, the provision of video analytics that could help to identify pedestrians.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/886623169/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 6pm on Thursday 30th November 2023.

Autonomous transportation of nuclear materials

Sellafield Ltd is building new long-term facilities to safely and securely store nuclear inventory. Once operational, the new storage facilities will receive packages from a number of legacy stores across the Sellafield site, significantly increasing the number of waste package journeys, from monthly to daily. Investing in automated processes to transport waste and product packages across the Sellafield site will reduce the reliance on driver and vehicle availability. Automating the transfers will improve overall capability to increase Sellafield’s transfer activities in the coming years.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking to automate the transportation process of packages housing nuclear materials from legacy stores into new purpose-built facilities for long-term storage, improving efficiency, and maintaining absolute safety and security of carriage.

Game Changers challenge - automated alpha in-air monitoring 2.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd is seeking an airborne alpha monitoring system that:<ul><li>Can cope with a dusty environment</li><li>Has an alarm output that allows the operator to distinguish between the genuine detection of alpha or beta radiation and reduced airflow or any other false alarm states</li><li>Reports its status digitally to a central location (long-term goal, not currently required)</li><li>Can act as a first-line defence against alpha or beta contamination and provide reliable safety assurance for operations</li></ul>Sellafield Ltd is aiming to discover the ‘art-of-the-possible’ rather than alternative commercially available products. The ultimate aim is to install a maintenance-free system that requires no intervention.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity. Please note that this challenge statement supersedes a version published on 18th October 2023. The updated challenge statement includes the following clarifications:<ul><li>Any proposed monitoring solution must compensate for naturally occurring radon</li><li>The ability to digitally self-report to a central location is an essential requirement</li><li>The available power supply is 110V to 240V AC, 47Hz to 63Hz</li><li>Any device must be suitable for UKCA marking</li></ul>You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/886538732/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 6pm on Thursday 30th November 2023.

Automated alpha in-air monitoring

Alpha radiation is the most ionising type of radiation, making it extremely harmful to humans. Sellafield Ltd must have the ability to detect any airborne alpha radiation on-site in order to be alert to loss of containment and to keep personnel safe.There are several types of radioactivity in-air monitors used on the Sellafield site, but they all use the same basic principle of operation. The current monitoring systems require regular maintenance and often go into alarm status because of blocked filter media at the air intake. This results in access to areas being restricted unnecessarily. Sellafield Ltd would like to explore the possibility of implementing a fully automated monitoring system that does not require frequent, routine maintenance and allows operators to discern between genuine alpha radiation detected alarm states and other alarm states due to reduced airflow and other factors.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore the possibility of implementing a fully automated airborne radiation monitoring system that does not require frequent, routine maintenance.

Challenge Statement - Novel separation and direct measurement technologies.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSOne of the challenges Analytical Services at Sellafield encounter is the cost and inefficiency of processes and techniques currently used to analyse radionuclides and other analytes. Sellafield Ltd would like to explore new and novel technologies or techniques to improve upon its current practices.Analytical Services recognise that non-destructive techniques usually require minimal modification for nuclear operations and could deliver quicker and cheaper analysis. The specific areas of interest include:<ul><li>Direct measurement technologies of liquids, solids and powders – where separation of species is not required and the need for chemical separation is negated. These technologies could be deployed on plants or in the laboratory inside cells or glove boxes.</li><li>Simple, efficient and clean separation technology – to separate species of interest from interference from other species (possibly with integrated measurement technology).</li><li>Microfluidic techniques and laser techniques that bring the additional advantage of low waste volume generation.</li></ul>FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity. You can also watch a webinar and Q &amp; A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/873768293/"></iframe>

Analytical Services: Novel separation and direct measurement technologies for radionuclides and analytes

As the UK’s largest nuclear site, Sellafield has played a central role in the history of the nuclear industry in the UK. Throughout all operational phases, Sellafield Ltd’s Analytical Services teams have provided essential support to safe operations, waste processing, and hazard/risk reduction activities. Analytical Services operate in a 70-year-old facility using many analytical protocols, some of which were developed 30 to 40 years ago. Operations in these laboratories are currently being phased out and much of the future work will be performed in the National Nuclear Laboratory Central Lab (NNLCL). The move to the NNLCL creates a great opportunity for new and innovative technologies and techniques to be introduced into the analytical work to improve the efficiency, safety and quality of the analysis. It is vital Analytical Services assess, understand and support the development of new technologies to ensure the potential benefits of the move to updated facilities are achieved.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore new and novel technologies or techniques to analyse radionuclides and other analytes, to improve upon the current practices used, reducing cost and inefficiencies.

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June's session featured Jason Simpson from Dounreay and Dr Xin ‘Erwin’ Dong from the University of Nottingham discussing the development and deployment of a revolutionary prototype disposable modular snake manipulator. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks June 2024

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April’s session featured talks from Dr Ryan Seabright on Puncture resistant gauntlets, and Stephen McNulty on Mapping and monitoring corrosion of safety-critical ventilation systems. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks April 2024

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February's talk featured Sarah Bugby from Loughborough University and Sellafield's Jonathan Norman discussing&nbsp;Real-time gamma-optical imaging. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks February 2024

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone who is interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry, learning about cutting-edge research developments and understanding how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges which can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.December's webinar featured the following talk:Laser speckle interferometry inspection of reinforced concrete structures - Laser Optical Engineering LtdProfessor John Tyrer, Managing Director of Laser Optical Engineering Ltd, gave a talk about laser speckle interferometry being used to identify subsurface and surface cracks in composites and concrete structures. The equipment used can work on areas up to 1m2 in near real-time and is a non-destructive technique. Results were presented from the successful Game Changers project, set up to identify cracks in concrete beams, mortar and solid walls on the Sellafield site. Quantitative information about the strain energy around the crack now lets technicians begin to identify residual life in the components, helping to determine what repair work needs to be considered.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/891582539/"></iframe>

December's talk featured the use of laser speckle interferometry to identify subsurface and surface cracks in composite and concrete structures. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks December 2023

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone who is interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry, learning about cutting-edge research developments and understanding how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges which can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.Scroll down for a link to a recording of this month's talks which featured:<h2>The creation, development and future of the FIRMArm modular equipment deployment device</h2>Access is a common issue in the nuclear decommissioning industry. Hazardous environments and hard-to-reach areas and buildings need to be inspected using safe, accurate and repeatable methods.Sheffield-based FIRMA Engineering have created FIRMArm, a flexible and cost-effective platform for use in the nuclear industry and beyond. The portable, easy-to-assemble, modular system can be tailored to each application, with quick assembly and no lifting equipment required. The segmented arm itself, which can extend more than 7m into a cell, can be fitted with an array of end-effectors, such as cameras, radiation monitors, suction devices and 3D scanners. The device is also able to deliver existing instruments and tools to remote locations, in a precise and stable manner.The FIRMArm talk will tell the story of development, from genesis to the present day, as well as touching on future work in the pipeline.<h2>Groundwater and contaminant passive flux estimates</h2>In this talk, Andy Gillett will outline the work conducted by GHD, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear, iFLUX and Sellafield, to help refine future groundwater remediation requirements at the Sellafield site.Conventional monitoring techniques of groundwater typically rely on a snapshot ‘spot monitoring’ approach, which may not fully represent groundwater conditions. This can result in a limited understanding of overall solute distribution and transport, leading to inefficient risk assessment and unsuitable remediation plans.Solute mass flux measurements can provide a technically more robust approach to assessing solute transport within groundwater. In this Game Changers funded project, GHD, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear, iFLUX and Sellafield, tested a new device using groundwater optimised to specific contaminants of concern. The innovative, simple, disposable device, which is left in-situ, has the potential to provide estimates of groundwater and contaminant flux using the existing borehole network at Sellafield.Key findings from the research conducted as part of this collaboration, along with comparisons to traditional methods and learning points, will be described in this talk.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/838719448/"></iframe><h2>﻿</h2>

This month's talks featured the FIRMArm modular deployment device; and groundwater monitoring using passive flux. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks June 2023

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If you missed this month's talks and would like to catch up, there's a recording link available at the bottom of this page.Use of near-infrared photo spectrometry to identify and quantify organic compounds at distance and in restricted access locations - I﻿mperial College LondonDuring POCO operations, there is a growing need to identify organic compounds in liquids, cruds, and other solids. In particular, the detection of Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), Dibutyl Phosphate (DBP) and Odourless Kerosene (OK). The analysis of these compounds is often complicated due to the limited access to their location. Commonly, the liquids and solids of interest are located within vessels whose only access is via narrow, long lengths of pipework.Imperial College has developed a novel near-infrared spectrometry with miniaturised probes and extended fibre optic cables. This system allows at distance analysis of most organic compounds of interest (including TBP, DBP and OK). The probe and fibre optic cable can pass through pipes as narrow as 15mm ID over distances of at least 20m.The system can also be used to identify the presence and location of immiscible layers in vessels such as pneumercators.This talk will demonstrate how the novel NIR system can be deployed and used to characterise organic compounds during POCO operations.Contaminated concrete removal using controlled heat-induced spalling - The U﻿niversity of SheffieldIn this talk a team of researchers from The University of Sheffield will discuss the work undertaken within the Proof of Concept phase of the Game Changers project “Contaminated concrete removal using controlled heat-induced spalling”. The project proposes a novel approach to remove layers of contaminated concrete, using heat-induced spalling of concrete as the driving mechanism. Traditionally seen as an uncontrolled and undesirable mechanism in structural fire engineering, heat-induced spalling is here exploited to induce and control the removal of the contaminated concrete layer.Jointly funded by Sellafield Ltd and Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, The University of Sheffield’s proof of concept project focussed on understanding the main challenges, advancing the proposed technology and producing a prototype system.The talk will outline the proposed technology, highlight scientific and technological challenges and discuss opportunities for further development.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/813243916/"></iframe>

This month's talks featured near-infrared photo spectrometry and contaminated concrete removal

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks March 23

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To view the presentations from the event please click on the links below:<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Robin.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Importance of Robotics and Innovation in Nuclear Decommissioning</a>- Robin Ibbotson, Chief Technology Officer, Sellafield Ltd and Chris Ballard,Robotics and AI Programme Manager, Sellafield Ltd<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Nottingham.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">COBRA: Industrial to Medical Surgery</a>- Abdelkhalik Mohammed Assistant Professor in Mechatronics, University of Nottingham<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/AWS.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Build for the Future: Cloud Innovation for the Nuclear Industry Amazon Web Services (AWS)</a>- Maria King, Account Manager, AWS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Game%20Changers%20WS.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Game Changers - a success story</a>- Frank Allison, CEO FIS360 Ltd James Hill, Director, Eadon Consulting Ltd Alex Allen, Technical Lead, Sellafield Ltd<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Game%20Changers%20Challenge.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Launch of Game Changers challenge Asset Inspection Through 19mm Diameter Access Ports</a>- David Hargreaves, Technical Specialist, Sellafield Ltd Stephen Israel, Spent Fuel Management Technical, Sellafield Ltd Karim Bahou, Project Manager, FIS360 LtdAutonomous Sort and Segregation of Nuclear Waste:<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Barrnon.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barrnon Ltd</a><a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Atkins.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Atkins Ltd</a><a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/RAI%20Event%20Programme%20F.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VIEW THE FULL EVENT PROGRAMME AND AGENDA</a>About this event&nbsp;Join us to connect with the robotics and AI community, learn about the latest advancements in the sector and hear from inspirational keynote speakers from diverse industries. Through engaging discussions and hands-on insights, we will highlight how far we have come, the current challenges we are facing, and where we want to go as a community to make technology better for a safer world.&nbsp;&nbsp;What to expect:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Stimulating panel discussions with leaders in the fields of robotics, AI and innovation&nbsp;</li><li>Inspirational exhibits&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The launch of a new Game Changers challenge</li></ul>And of course, the chance to network with local and national businesses as well as academics working on new and novel solutions for robotics and AI in extreme environments.&nbsp;Event programmeThe agenda, speaker profiles, floor plan, list of exhibitors and descriptions of the workshops and breakout sessions can be viewed in the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/RAI%20Event%20Programme%20F.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">full event programme</a>

Bringing together businesses, engineers and academics focussed on the development of robotics and AI solutions, the event will encourage cross-sector collaborations and stimulate ideas and future innovation

Robotics and AI for extreme environments

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This month's talks will feature in-situ solid, liquid and gas analysis using Raman spectroscopy and super absorbent polymers as sub-surface seals

Lunchtime Technology Talk webinar Nov 22

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Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th JulyNewcastle Race Course, Gosforth, Newcastle upon TyneUnderstanding and proactively managing asset health in the water and nuclear industries is becoming increasingly important. Assets are ageing, demands are increasing and the pressure to keep customer costs low can take away focus on long term industry planning.Join us on this asset health sprint with colleagues from the water and nuclear sectors where we will combine our knowledge on the here and now, and build on this to develop solutions for the future.<a href="https://www.innovationfestival.org/the-festival/sprints/Jacobs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">REGISTER NOW</a>We'll be focussing on three different topics over the course of the event. You can join us for just one, or all three.Interested organisations will be invited to pitch their ideas at the end of each day. The best ideas will be put forward for Game Changers and Northumbrian Water funding consideration.Day 1, 12 JulyMEASUREMENT AND MONITORING OF ASSET HEALTHHow do we measure and monitor the health of our long life (environmental), medium life (civil structures and pipes) and short life (mechanical and electrical) assets? How do we do this in best value way? How do we take a holistic system view?Day 2, 13 JulyPREDICTING AND FORECASTING FUTURE ASSET HEALTHHow might we predict (shorter term) and forecast (longer term) the future health of our assets to aid decision making? What interventions should we make and when is the best time to make these? How do we take a holistic system view?Day 3, 14 JulyCOMMUNICATING INSIGHTS OF CURRENT AND FUTURE ASSET HEALTHHow can we create a picture of asset health across the system which is useful for all stakeholders including operators, planners, the board, customers and regulators?<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Robotics%20test%202.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Agenda</a>

We are delighted to be working with Northumbrian Water in conjunction with Jacobs to launch an&nbsp;asset health sprint&nbsp;at the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival.Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th JulyNewcastle Race Course, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne

Asset health sprint with Northumbrian Water

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If you missed this webinar you can catch up by watching the recording below.Remote access in hazardous environments - James Hill, Eadon ConsultingREACH is a high payload capacity, modular system for long-range mapping, data collection and tool deployment in hazardous environments. Offering a reusable and configurable toolkit that can be adapted to suit different instruments, tools and environments. REACH improves efficiency and safety whilst reducing deployment preparation time and cost.Remote scabbling technology for the decommissioning of legacy ponds - Colin Bickersteth, Barrnon Barrnon’s remote scabbling technology has been developed through Game Changers with the aim of allowing the efficient remote decommissioning of legacy ponds at nuclear sites such as Dounreay and Sellafield. The concrete removal head allows the dry retrieval of 50mm depth contaminated concrete from walls or floors in a single pass. It also fully suppresses dust and retrieves the waste via a vacuum to a collection drum. The cutting head is deployed via a hydraulic ROV meaning that it removes operatives from the radioactive work area.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/726768229/"></iframe>

Details of the latest Game Changers Technology Talks session

This month's talks featured a high payload capacity, modular access system for hazardous environments and remote concrete scabbling technologyRecording available

Lunchtime Technology Talk webinar

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The thrilling culmination of a year-long Game Changers proof of concept project saw Jacobs and Sellafield Ltd showcase their Waste Container Inspection Robot for accessing difficult-to-reach areas within Sellafield’s Intermediate Storage Facilities (ISF). The technology, perfectly tailored to fit and navigate between the canyons and stacks of the ISF, was demonstrated in a non-active deployment at Jacobs Birchwood facility early this year.Within the ISF, radioactive waste is stored in self-shielded boxes (SSBs) for potentially 50-100 years prior to transfer to a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). It is necessary to monitor the physical condition of waste packages throughout the duration of their interim storage. The original Game Changers challenge for <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Monitoring_of_waste_packages" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">monitoring of waste packages</a> was launched on behalf of Nuclear Restoration Services (previously Magnox Ltd) and Sellafield Ltd in the summer of 2021. Innovations in this area could lead to improved inspection efficiency, reduced operator dose rates and increased safety, and better knowledge of how the waste containers are changing over time. Between Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Restoration Services, <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/news/New_partnership_pays_off" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eight projects</a> were initially selected for Game Changers feasibility funding with two down-selected for further funding at proof-of-concept stage.This remarkable device has been designed to deploy into the narrow canyons between stacked SSBs via an overhead crane. It is then able to reach into the narrow horizontal gap between the stacked boxes without touching them. The goal is to deploy cameras and sensors at the precise location of filters situated in the lid of all SSBs, feeding back information on the integrity of the waste packages before they are removed from the ISF for ultimate disposal. The demonstration proved the robot’s ability to autonomously locate mock-up filters and successfully deploy a camera and hydrogen sensor in a replica geometry.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/906310164/"></iframe>Paul Hughes, Technical Manager at Sellafield Ltd, said “We’re really impressed by Jacobs and Game Changers. The Game Changers innovation programme has enabled this work, finding the people with the right skills, and managing the project and collaboration in a flexible and easy-to-access way, getting us the results we want quickly.”Jacobs’ Robotics Technical Director, Andrew Ludar-Smith, said: “We’re grateful to the Game Changers programme for giving us a great opportunity to show how we can design a robot to carry out complex tasks in a sensitive and potentially hazardous environment, enabling constant monitoring of waste containers while keeping operators safe. This is one of many examples where we are developing robotic systems to revolutionise operations and maintenance in areas where human access is impossible or difficult.”Sellafield Ltd is now considering the next phase of development and a demonstration of the device in an active environment before the end of this year.

Jacobs showcases its Waste Containers Inspection Robot for accessing difficult-to-reach areas within Sellafield’s Intermediate Storage Facilities (ISF) in the culmination of a year-long Game Changers proof of concept project.

Jacobs unveils innovative Waste Container Inspection Robot for Sellafield’s Intermediate Storage Facilities

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Game Changers, the UK's leading nuclear innovation programme, celebrates a major achievement with the announcement of a commercial contract for FIRMA Engineering’s remote deployment device. Developed with funding and commercialisation support from Game Changers over a period of 4 years, the first order for the technology known as FIRMArm has been placed by Sellafield Ltd.&nbsp;Game Changers is renowned for spearheading nuclear innovation, bringing together challenge owners from institutions such as Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Restoration Services with solution providers spanning academia, research, SMEs, and more. The FIRMArm success story exemplifies the programme's commitment to the development and commercialisation of novel solutions and adapted existing technologies that tackle complex challenges in nuclear decommissioning.&nbsp;Following many years working in the aerospace and R&amp;D sector, FIRMA Engineering had already begun addressing challenges in the nuclear industry when they attended a Game Changers Robotics and AI event in 2019. Inspired by the working-at-heights challenge launched at the event, the company developed the concept for the FIRMArm solution on the spot, swiftly following up with a funding application complete with sketches and 3D models.&nbsp;After successfully being awarded Game Changers feasibility funding, the first deployment prototype was designed. Sellafield challenge owners were sufficiently impressed to award further funding to enable extensive development and testing, culminating in an inactive demonstration which took place at NNL, Workington. The success of the demonstration led to the project gaining further momentum with additional Game Changers funding awarded to facilitate an active demonstration on the Sellafield site in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;The FIRMArm, or Flexible Interchangeable Reconfigurable Mechanical Arm, is a modular equipment deployment device capable of delivering payloads weighing up to 18kg to challenging and otherwise inaccessible areas. The current design boasts a remarkable range of up to 10m from the entry point, the FIRMArm supports various end effectors for diverse tasks, including cameras, sensors, and sampling equipment. The system has undergone successful testing with effectors from fellow Game Changers solution providers.&nbsp;Sellafield Ltd plans to deploy the FIRMArm onsite, with ongoing supervision and maintenance by the FIRMA team, ensuring continual development and upkeep of the revolutionary system. FIRMA Engineering is already exploring a separate Game Changers application for the FIRMArm, focusing on operations in deep holes rather than above ground.&nbsp;The Game Changers programme invites innovators with ideas, prototypes, or proven technologies that may be applicable to nuclear industry challenges. Programme applicants benefit from direct access to challenge owners from major industry players like Sellafield, with support and mentoring provided by a team of innovation and commercialisation experts dedicated to maximizing the potential of groundbreaking innovations for nuclear site deployment and sustained commercial success.&nbsp;

Game Changers celebrates a major achievement with the announcement of a commercial contract for FIRMA Engineering’s remote deployment device.

Bridging the gap between innovation and industry through the Game Changers programme

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Feasibility studies exploring the use of digital scanning technologies to identify deformities in 500L drums have been successfully completed.Launched in July last year by the Retrievals Value Stream at Sellafield Ltd, the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Identifying_deformities_in_500L_drums" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">challenge</a> attracted 21 applications, each vying to uncover effective methods for detecting distortion in nuclear waste 500L drums housed on the Sellafield site. The drums, numbering around 23,000, contain nuclear waste materials encased in grout, which solidifies around the waste within. However, certain drums have exhibited expansion due to the reaction of uranium within the waste with high pH water in the grout, resulting in noticeable distortions, akin to lumpiness.The overarching goal of the challenge was to pinpoint any drum distortions while the drums are situated within an inspection cell. The ultimate aspiration is to achieve this detection while the drums remain in place inside designated four-drum stillages. To this end, Sellafield was receptive to measurement methods that can either operate within the inspection cell or function through the shielded window of the inspection cell.The organisations awarded feasibility funding for their proposals in response to the challenge were:&nbsp;<ul><li>Cerberus Nuclear, in Birchwood (Cheshire), presented DrumSight – a 3D digital tool tailored for 500L drum deformity reconstruction, quantification and monitoring.&nbsp;</li><li>Jacobs Clean Energy in Cheshire proposed a visual and laser robotic system geared towards dimensioning and surface profiling, offering a multifaceted approach to deformity detection.&nbsp;</li><li>The University of Bristol leveraged machine vision software, aimed at facilitating through-window inspections via high-resolution images, potentially revolutionising the inspection process.&nbsp;</li><li>The University of Manchester showcased its expertise with rapid 3D surface scanning techniques tailored to identify deformities and conduct metrology assessments on 500L drums.&nbsp;</li></ul>With Cerberus Nuclear, Jacobs Clean Energy, and the University of Bristol now advancing to the proof of concept stage of the Game Changers process, anticipation is high for the potential breakthroughs that may emerge from these cutting-edge endeavours. The projects are expected to conclude next year.

Feasibility studies exploring the use of digital scanning technologies to identify deformities in 500L drums have been successfully completed, with several chosen to progress to the proof of concept stage of the Game Changers process.

Game Changers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges.We work with organisations of all sizes, across all sectors, to identify and develop the most promising technologies.

Game Changers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges.

We work with organisations of all sizes, across all sectors, to identify and develop the most promising technologies.