Detection of organics in pipes and vessels

Challenge deadline 12 noon, 7th January 2021

Nuclear site facilities go through a full cleaning process at the end of their operational life to reduce risks and hazards and, in turn, make the plant cheaper to care for and dismantle. Residual or bulk organics in vessels and pipework may lead to issues during decommissioning, for example presenting fire hazards during cutting operations of stainless-steel pipework when reducing their size.

The challenge

Sellafield Ltd (SL) and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) are seeking ideas, innovations and technologies that will deliver game-changing improvements over the current techniques used for the characterisation of organic residues to confirm that they have been removed to an acceptable level in reprocessing vessels and pipework.

Open call

Applications are invited for technological solutions to meet this challenge.

Funding is available for feasibility and proof of concept projects which may provide a solution to all or part of this challenge.

Please download the challenge statement for a full description of the challenge aims, current practice and the solutions Sellafield Ltd and Dounreay are seeking.

An interactive workshop took place on 9th December 2020. You can watch the recording below to learn more about the challenge, hear from some of the challenge owners and listen to a Q & A session.

How to apply

If you think you can solve all or part of this challenge, please submit a funding application using our online application form. Guidance notes are available using the help buttons in the form.

Please note that you must submit a poster as part of your application. You can save your application form as you complete it and return to it at a later time.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Thursday 7th January 2021.