Remote deployment method for sensors in nuclear store structures

The Sellafield Product and Residue Store (SPRS) houses special nuclear materials (SNM) that have resulted from nuclear fuel reprocessing activities. The SPRS is ventilated by the natural convection of unfiltered air, and it is known that the moisture and salt in the air are causing corrosion of steel and aluminium structures (extrusions) within the SPRS.

Sellafield Ltd needs to understand whether the observed corrosion is going to be limiting to the forecast 100-year lifetime of the SPRS store and needs a method of deploying corrosion-sensing equipment to the sites of the corrosion.

CHALLENGE AIMS

Sellafield Ltd is seeking a method to remotely deploy corrosion-sensing and inspection equipment via the ceiling ports or ground-level ventilation ducts of cells within SPRS. The deployment solution should be able to reach all required parts of the cell to place corrosion-sensing equipment at all required sites of corrosion, including those on the extrusions and on the welds.

The deployment solution should be able to carry and deliver the sensor payload to where it is required and hold the sensing equipment in place at all times. It should be able to tolerate the radioactivity levels within the cell. It should also be able to record the locations of analysis/data or sample collection and should be robust so that it can be repeated across other cells within SPRS.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking any solutions to this challenge to be operational/business as usual by 2029. This means that an active demonstration of a solution would be required by early 2028 at the latest. However, if an earlier solution is presented, this would be desirable.

FIND OUT MORE

Please download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.

You can watch a webinar and Q&A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.

The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Thursday 30th October 2025.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THIS CHALLENGE

Additional information was requested during the webinar for detail on the access points to the store (above and below):

Store additional information:

• Floor to lower steelwork – 2230mm

 Access to the ventilation duct:

• Manhole entry – 600mm x 600mm (please use this updated figure instead of the 730mm x 730mm as reported in the Challenge Statement).
• Floor thickness – 500mm (e.g. length of ‘drop’ through the manhole)
• Void height – 1000mm

 Access via roof access ports:

• There are no restrictions for equipment transfer through the plant (assuming any equipment can fit through a standard doorway)
• A limiting size of 750mm (l) x 750mm (w) x 2000mm (h) would be suitable for access in the corridor above the roof access ports



ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications 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:

1. How well does the application align with the challenge aims?
2. Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?
3. What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?
4. Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?
5. Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?
6. Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?