ILW Sorting Cell Manipulator
| Contract: | ILW Sorting Cell Manipulator |
| Customer: | Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) |
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| Details: |
NES has completed a contract for the supply of a remote powered manipulator arm to Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL). The manipulator underwent extensive initial functional testing, at NES in conjunction with its assembly into a dedicated modular stainless steelwork and lead shielded consignment cell structure. Once fully assembled and tested the manipulator and consignment cell structure were located within the former Materials Test Reactor (MTR) reprocessing facility to provide an export route for the decommissioning wastes associated with the size reduction and removal of the in-Cell process plant, equipment, vessels and pipework. Capable of lifting loads of up to 200 kg from any position, the manipulator was required to carry out a number of essential waste packaging and consignment activities, processing the waste items size reduced by other remotely operated equipment located within the existing reinforced concrete cell. These activities included selection of waste items from inside the existing cell and transfer of these items into an inbuilt assay system to segregate Intermediate Level Waste (RHILW) and Low Level Waste (LLW) before consigning into the appropriate waste port. The manipulator is also used to remotely change full and empty RHILW waste containers using a sliding table mechanism and also to secure the connections for the operation of a rodded loading system into a shielded waste flask port mounted on the cell roof. |