Smart sensor demonstration success

A sophisticated sensor system designed by Sensor Driven to help Sellafield monitor cans in long-term storage was recently showcased at a demonstration attended by more than 30 Sellafield staff.

The system is radiation tolerant, records the temperature and pressure of product cans and can relay changes to plant operators. 

The showcase marked the culmination of a 12-month project during which Sensor Driven demonstrated that it was possible to miniaturise their prototype sensor to increase the ease of attachment to storage cans. The challenge of equipping the sensors with communication capability to allow them to send out measurements of temperature and pressure in harsh environments was met. In addition, a welding demonstration and video footage of instrumented welding tests showed how the sensor could be fitted to cans without the precise sensor electronics being harmed by the extreme temperatures used during welding. This was previously thought impossible. 

Funded by Game Changers, Sensor Driven has been working collaboratively with Sellafield technical and engineering teams for three years to develop their pressure and temperature alert system. The smart sensors are capable of operation for up to 30 years without battery replacement. Such longevity is critical when monitoring areas with problematic access and especially those in harsh environments. 

It is hoped that the sensors will reduce the requirement for physical inspections of cans in long-term storage, reduce maintenance demands and increase operator safety. They will also provide new knowledge and data which can inform future methods of efficiently storing and handling nuclear products. 

Bernard Stark, Director of Sensor Driven, said "It has been highly motivating and rewarding to work alongside engineers and application experts at Sellafield. Game Changers funding has enabled us to lead a team of UK experts to jointly solve these interesting technical challenges."

Edward MacNeil, Sellafield Innovation Project Engineer, said “This project has brought us a big step forward towards realising the potential of these truly innovative sensors.” 

In the next phase of the Game Changers project, Sensor Driven will supply Sellafield with sensor systems that will be used in an active trial within a store environment. 

You can learn more about the significant technical achievements of this project by watching this short film: