Innovative Robotics for Safer Nuclear Submarine Decommissioning
Aims
To develop robots to safely inspect nuclear submarine pipes, reducing human exposure and saving costs.
Overview
Dr Mario Gianni explains: “The decommissioning and disposal of nuclear systems is a complex and difficult endeavour. Companies leading this process, face major challenges in assessing the residual radiation levels within the nuclear reactors' complex pipework. This makes it harder to classify the radioactivity levels and determine appropriate disposal routes. This is amplified as the systems are difficult for humans to access and too intricate for standard inspection tools.
To tackle this, we're developing advanced robots that can safely navigate the pipes and monitor radiation levels without putting humans at risk. Our robots, including a magnetic tracked robot for ferromagnetic pipes and a pneumatic crawler for non-ferromagnetic pipes will dramatically improve the decommissioning process.
Our next steps involve enhancing the robots' security against cyber threats, ensuring they operate safely and efficiently. This technology not only addresses a crucial industrial need but could also revolutionize the future of nuclear decommissioning.”
NW CyberCom is a £1.2 million project aiming to unlock the cyber security potential of the North West. Led by Lancaster University, the project sees six partner universities capture the latest cyber security innovations, working with entrepreneurs, investors, government and businesses to transform cutting-edge knowledge into new products, services and policy. The primary goal is to strengthen protection for consumers, businesses, and UK infrastructure.
Results and Outcomes
Tab Content: For Partners and Engagement
Collaborating with Babcock has been instrumental in developing robots that can safely navigate and inspect complex pipe systems. By working closely with their team, it has ensured that the technology meets the specific needs of the decommissioning process, significantly reducing human exposure to radiation and cutting costs. The partnership has also highlighted the importance of integrating cyber security measures early in the development process, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the robots.
This project not only addresses a pressing need within the MOD but also positions the project team as leaders in the field of robotics for hazardous environments. The feedback from Babcock has been overwhelmingly positive, with the potential for further applications in other areas of nuclear decommissioning.
Tab Content: For Academics
One of the key lessons from this project has been the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. By combining expertise in robotics, nuclear engineering, and cyber security, the team have been able to develop a solution that is both technically advanced and practically viable. The project has also underscored the importance of industry engagement, as the insights provided by Babcock were crucial in shaping the design and functionality of our robots.
Moving forward, Dr Gianni would advise colleagues to prioritise security considerations from the outset, as this can save significant time and resources in later stages. The project has also demonstrated the benefits of flexible, adaptive project management, as the team had to pivot quickly in response to new challenges and opportunities.
Back to listing