Size Reduction
The objectives of the Size Reduction theme is to dismantle or cut components into pieces to allow safe storage or shipment in the decommissioning of nuclear and other industrial plants.
We apply and demonstrate size reduction tools with robotic deployment systems for nuclear fission and fusion decommissioning applications. The benefits include a significantly reduced risk to humans, more flexibility to challenging industry problems, more efficient storage and quicker and more cost-effective operations.
Lirob through-wall manipulator
Through-wall manipulators are used extensively for nuclear processing and decommissioning in hot cells. Through-wall manipulators or master-slave manipulators were developed in the 1940s and are mostly mechanically operated with direct link between the remote side and the operator side. The operations take place outside the cell with viewing either through a shielded window or via cameras. Automated operation is difficult, if not impossible.
The Lirob is a next-generation manipulator which is a robotic arm that can be installed through purpose-built holes in nuclear rooms in a hazardous environment where humans cannot access due to high levels of radiation. It has seven inline electrically actuated joints plus a gripper (robot hand) and can reach around 2m and lift up to 20kg to enable a multitude of tasks to be undertaken fully remotely. The operator controls the LiRob robotic arm using two joysticks from over 100m away in a control room, away from the hazardous environment. Lirob is incredibly accurate, extremely robust and can operate for 40 years without needing any repair or maintenance.
RAICo, in collaboration with the supplier Wälischmiller Engineering, has identified an opportunity to advance the technology and operation of through wall-robotic manipulators by increasing the use of automation, digital software and control handling.
The large number of hot cells and through-wall manipulators in operation across the NDA estate, Sellafield and the nuclear decommissioning sector both within the UK and internationally means there is an opportunity to make a significant impact.
The Lirob has the potential to revolutionise the hot cell industry away from manual master-slave manipulators to semi-automated fully remote operations, which can improve the efficiency and safety of fission and fusion decommissioning.