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. A challenge webinar will take place at 10.30am on 10th October 2023 where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask questions. Attendance is free and registration is <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/measurement-of-evolved-gases-novel-separation-and-measurement-technologies-tickets-715192529107?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">via Eventbrite</a>.

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

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From cleaning-up the country’s highest nuclear risks and hazards to safeguarding nuclear fuel, materials and waste, Sellafield Ltd’s mission is nationally important.As they approach the completion of reprocessing and the site changes to decommissioning activities, Sellafield Ltd are increasingly focussed on environmental remediation and waste management.Research and development (R&amp;D) is fundamental to the delivery of their mission.&nbsp;New technologies and techniques can improve safety, security and reduce costs, timescales and environmental impact.Sellafield Ltd work in four value streams, prioritising efforts and maximising value:<ul><li>Retrievals: Sellafield Ltd are retrieving nuclear waste, fuel and sludge that are stored inside their legacy ponds and silos, the highest risks and hazards at Sellafield</li><li>Remediation: beyond the legacy ponds and silos, Sellafield Ltd have hundreds of nuclear and non-nuclear facilities that need to be cleaned-up</li><li>Spent nuclear fuel management: Sellafield Ltd are moving towards storing fuel instead of reprocessing it</li><li>Special nuclear materials: Sellafield Ltd have the facilities and expertise to provide safe, secure and appropriate storage for special nuclear materials</li></ul><h3>To support these value streams, Sellafield Ltd are particularly interested in innovation in these areas:</h3>

Sellafield Ltd

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.

Challenge Statement - Measurement of evolved gases from radioactive samples.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd wishes to adopt more accurate, efficient and effective techniques and technologies to identify impurities in solid or mixed matric radioactive samples.Typical samples, often in powder form, include plutonium and uranium oxide, with small quantities of impurities-less than 400 μg per gram.The evolved species to be measured and quantified where they exist in the sample include water, chlorine and other halides, carbon (as CO and CO2), tritium, carbon-14 and other species most likely to be in solid form. Any solution must be robust and maintainable and should avoid techniques that create radioactive waste. Ideally, solutions should be able to measure more than one sample in a run. The measurement technology may be deployed directly or could be placed outside containment.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity. A challenge webinar will take place at 10.30am on 10th October 2023 where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask questions. Attendance is free and registration is <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/measurement-of-evolved-gases-novel-separation-and-measurement-technologies-tickets-715192529107?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">via Eventbrite</a>.

Analytical Services: Measurement of evolved gases from radioactive samples

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore new technologies or techniques for the measurement of impurities from solid or mixed matrix radioactive samples to improve upon current practices.

Challenge Statement - Identifying Deformities in 500L Drums.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSAny method of identifying expansion of drums prior to their removal from their stillage would be highly desirable. This would provide confidence that drums would fit back into the stillage following their removal for inspection.Sellafield Ltd are open to solutions that are deployed from either within or through the window of a drum inspection facility, although preference would be for a solution deployed within the inspection facility. The components of a solution that would be deployed within an inspection facility must be extremely radiation tolerant (see constraints).Any proposed solution should identify any distortions and be capable of measuring the following dimensions of a drum:<ul><li>Vertical height</li><li>Circumference</li><li>Width from the vertical centre line</li></ul>Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions that can:<ul><li>Assess around 10 stillages (40 drums) within a 2-week window</li><li>Complete a single drum inspection within an hour</li><li>Ideally demonstrate a prototype to Sellafield Ltd within 3 months from the closing date of this challenge</li><li>Be capable of active deployment within 12 - 18 months</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/864502592/"></iframe>

Identifying deformities in 500L drums

Sellafield Ltd are responsible for the safe, long-term storage of highly radioactive waste materials that contain magnesium and uranium. This material has been produced by the reprocessing of Magnox fuel. Sellafield Ltd must provide secure containment of this waste for around 100 years of interim storage, that is until the waste is disposed of in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).This challenge is focused on 500L stainless steel drums in which uranium containing waste is stored. A method is required for accurately measuring all dimensions of the waste drums and identifying any deformities. The drums are contained within stillages, and Sellafield Ltd would prefer to be able to obtain drum measurements whilst they remain in their stillage.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technology which will enable them to accurately measure the dimensions of waste drums used for long-term storage, and identify any deformities

Game Changers challenge statement asset inspection.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSThe solution to this challenge must be capable of providing a detailed visual inspection of an entire duct system, and six adjoining tanks rooms, providing high-quality still images and real time video feed to the operator, where access to the duct system is constrained to a 19mm diameter bore through 0.35m - 1m of concrete.The duct systems (L x W x H: ~270m x 3m x 3m) are long and congested areas, with tank rooms positioned along their length. The deployment system must provide a method of determining the depth of entry of the camera system.Remote operation is required, and the operator can be stationed at the entrance of the access port. The next scheduled inspection is in 2025, and Sellafield are seeking a step-change improvement over the existing capabilities. Due to the time limited nature of this challenge, there will be an emphasis on well-developed technologies.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/816498397/"></iframe> The application deadline for this challenge is 12 noon on 4th May 2023.

Asset inspection through 19mm diameter access ports

Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions to enable the remote, visual inspection of duct systems. The duct systems are long and congested areas, with tank rooms positioned along their length. Access is restricted to a 19mm bore inspection port through 0.35m - 1m of concrete. Inspection of this ductwork and the adjoining tank room areas are required in order to understand more about their condition and the condition of the assets inside. To-date, this has proven challenging, and this is primarily due to the access constraints.A solution that can be deployed through narrow access ports that provides reliable, high quality images of the areas inside, would be of high interest to Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estate more widely.

Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions to enable the remote, visual inspection of duct systems

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a general challenge

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General application

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The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is a UK government owned and operated nuclear services technology provider covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle.Established in 2008, NNL brought together the UK’s nuclear research and development capability into one organisation.NNL provide expertise, technology and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.&nbsp;Their scientists and technologists are working at the forefront of nuclear innovation to address challenges and harness opportunities across the industry.NNL work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with their integrated microdrilling technology, and as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems, based on radioactive materials, for spacecraft.<h2>Innovation at NNL</h2>NNL has always been at the forefront of nuclear innovation, bringing their expertise to solve some of the industry’s most intractable problems.&nbsp;As custodians of some of the most advanced laboratories, active handling facilities, and nuclear technology research facilities in the world, NNL’s ability to bridge the gap between idea and application is second to none.As the nuclear sector faces a major challenge to innovate in order to compete on cost with other low-carbon technologies, NNL are broadening their innovation capabilities.&nbsp;The organisation has growing expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and new materials.With a strong focus on adopting innovation from outside the sector, NNL are now working in partnership with Game Changers to find solutions to some of their own challenges.

National Nuclear Laboratory

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Here is some formattable text about Dounreay

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Dounreay is Scotland’s largest decommissioning project and is internationally recognised as one of the most complex nuclear site closure projects. For more than 50 years it was the centre of the UK’s fast reactor research and development.&nbsp;Now the team is aiming to be recognised as a centre of excellence for nuclear decommissioning.&nbsp;The experimental nature of many of its redundant facilities which included the full spectrum of nuclear operation from fuel manufacture and reactor operation to spent fuel reprocessing and waste storage means that the clean up and demolition is complex and requires innovation and great care. Cleaning up the site poses challenges involving both high radiation and contamination as well as various hazardous chemical cocktails. This presents challenges as new and innovative solutions are required to access remote cells, ducts and vessels for inspection, characterisation, size reduction and material handling. The objective is to safely package and dispose of the materials and permit site remediation.

Dounreay

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 get learn about research areas which are of particular interest by reading our <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">partner pages</a>.Information about the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/projects" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">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.

Salt concentration measurement Game Changers challenge 2.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield are seeking innovative solutions that will enable the measurement of salt concentration on the TMA support structure in the lower plenum.Solutions must be capable of deployment into the vaults via vertical air ducts which contain a series of bends.Solutions should be capable of deployment once Proof of Concept has been established within the next 18 – 24 months.Proposals for solutions which address part, or all of this challenge, are invited. Applications solely describing salt measurement technology are welcome, as are applications solely describing potential deployment solutions.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 owner for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/764546941/"></iframe>The closing date for applications is Friday 25th November at 12 noon.

Salt concentration measurement

At Sellafield, the birthplace of the UK’s nuclear industry, there are a diverse range of buildings and structures located on a complex site with an area of six square kilometers. Many of these buildings are ageing and effective monitoring and maintenance is fundamental to operating both safely and cost-effectively.The Vitrified Product Store (VPS) was built to store containers of vitrified waste. It is a passively cooled store, using the heat generated by the store contents to draw a cold air stream into the store through a set of cooling air ducts. Sellafield is in a coastal location, so the air surrounding the VPS is humid and salt-laden. The drawn-in air is not conditioned, and therefore the moisture and salt content have the potential to cause corrosion inside the store.The VPS contains a mild steel and stainless steel structure referred to as the Tube Module Assembly (TMA). Man access in the proximity of the TMA is not possible, therefore Sellafield would like to explore different techniques and technologies to allow the remote measurement of salt concentrations on the TMA. This will help to develop an understanding of the corrosion occurring inside the VPS and to inform the design of future storage facilities.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technologies to allow the measurement of salt concentrations within a hazardous environment with constrained access

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Magnox is responsible for the safe and secure clean-up of 12 nuclear sites across the UK, including ten former electricity generating stations and two research sites, and the operation of one hydro-electric plant.Following defuelling of the sites, our work now is as diverse as it is challenging as we pioneer the use of innovative techniques to accelerate decommissioning and clean-up.It is a complex process, bringing together many conventional challenges such as asbestos removal and asset management, as well as characterisation, processing and packaging of radioactive waste, land remediation and ultimately removal of reactor cores.Many of the challenges being faced by Magnox are firsts of a kind, meaning our work is constantly pioneering and continually looking for ways of sharing best practice and seeking improvement.We work hand in hand with our supply chain to transform the tools and techniques used to deliver this important work; growing our expertise in areas such as robotics, virtual reality and digital technology which will ultimately offer significant benefits to the UK and beyond.

Magnox

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NWL supplies water and sewerage services to just under 4.4 million people.Water is supplied to 794,000 properties in Essex and Suffolk, with water and sewerage services provided to 1.3 million properties in the north east of England.NWL employs just under 3,000 people and operates:<ul><li>53 water treatment works</li><li>394 water pumping stations</li><li>341 water service reservoirs</li><li>26,200.20 km water mains</li><li>410 sewage treatment works</li><li>1,007 sewage pumping stations</li><li>30,106 km sewers</li></ul>Every day we supply 1,104 megalitres (1.1 billion litres) of water. This water is drawn from reservoirs, where it is collected and stored, rivers and groundwater sources. It is treated at our works before it is delivered by a network of pipes to homes and businesses.In the north east of England, where we also provide sewerage services, wastewater is then collected from these properties via the sewerage network and treated at our works before it is returned to the environment as either clean water or sludge which can be recycled as fertiliser or used to generate energy.

Northumbrian Water

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Part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's (BEIS)&nbsp;£505m Energy Innovation Programme, the Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme (AFCP) is investigating the role of advanced nuclear fuels and fuel cycles for a Net Zero future. With the UK Government committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, AFCP is laying the foundation from which Britain can maximise its current capability, meet Net Zero and continue deploying sustainable fuel and recycling concepts through the future.Developed to help equip the UK with the right skills, technology and networks to achieve carbon neutrality, AFCP leverages cross-country collaboration and cutting-edge science to steer the direction of future energy systems.Led in partnership by BEIS and the&nbsp;UK's National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL),&nbsp;AFCP pioneers a uniquely collaborative approach to innovation. Uniting NNL’s unique nuclear infrastructure with the innovative skills and capabilities of more than 100 organisations across over 10 countries, AFCP is delivering a suite of fuel cycle science themes with measurable impact across Britain’s evolving low-carbon landscape.<h3>Fuel cycle themes</h3>AFCP is divided into 11 distinct themes covering Advanced Nuclear Fuels through to Advanced Recycling and Sustainability.&nbsp;Together, these themes span the nuclear fuel cycle to enable future nuclear innovation and deployment in the UK.&nbsp;Advanced nuclear fuels<ul><li>Accident tolerant fuel: AFCP is elevating advanced technology fuels to realise their full range of benefits, fabricating and testing safe, affordable fuels of the future.</li><li>Coated particle fuel: advanced kernel technology has become increasingly valuable for high-temperature reactor conversations. </li><li>Fast reactor fuel: pioneering fast reactor technologies for more energy-efficient reactors. AFCP is investigating test fuel for fast reactor technologies and transuranic materials handling techniques.</li><li>Nuclear data: improving nuclear data to make energy analysis more insightful and accurate than ever before. </li></ul>Advanced recycling and sustainability<ul><li>Aqueous recycle: efficient recycling of water-based by-product is essential to reduce the amount and radiotoxicity of nuclear material.</li><li>Off gas capture: minimising the environmental impact of advanced recycling while ensuring industry can effectively meet regulation standards.</li><li>Pyro-processing: understanding the chemical and physical changes that can transform used nuclear reactor material into new fuel. </li><li>Waste immobilisation technologies: developing innovative technologies to safely store solid material for generations to come. </li><li>Solvent and effluent treatment: exploring alternative ways of safely treating solvent and effluents resulting from the reprocessing of spent nuclear material in a sustainable, resource-efficient manner. </li><li>Pyro waste: developing technological innovations around safely reprocessing molten salt material. This work develops UK expertise through enhanced understanding of the fuel cycle. </li><li>Fast reactor fuel recycle: developing efficient plutonium recycling routes to reduce raw material usage. Efficiently managing fast reactor material will ensure a sustainable fuel cycle. </li></ul>

Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme

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The pilot Advanced Nuclear Skills and Innovation Campus (ANSIC) is a first-of-its-kind programme for the nuclear sector. Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by the <a href="https://www.nnl.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">National Nuclear Laboratory</a> (NNL), the campus will be based at NNL’s Preston Laboratory. ANSIC will unite industry and academia to collaborate on projects which help develop and commercialise advanced nuclear technologies in support of the long-term zero-carbon future.The campus will oversee awards of £1 million into the UK industrial and academic supply chain through a variety of competitive open calls and challenges. Technical and operational support will also be provided by NNL in the delivery of successful bids.Important on-site training and educational opportunities at the campus will help ensure the UK has the necessary skills to maintain its position at the forefront of ground-breaking nuclear research and development.Building on the UK’s long-standing nuclear expertise, ANSIC will support the nation’s nuclear sector to develop operational capacity and deliver new technologies to meet the challenges of deep decarbonisation.Two calls for innovation are now live through ANSIC. <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Find out more</a>.Please note that specific IP arrangements are in place for funding applications made to Game Changers for ANSIC opportunities. More information can be found in our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/ANSIC%20funding%20FAQs%203.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ANSIC funding FAQs document</a>.