Sellafield nuclear power plant has a groundbreaking new trial under way. For two, they’re employing cutting-edge robotics to continuously monitor radiation levels in dangerous areas. The facility has successfully tested a four-legged robot known as Spot. This unique robot arms an integrated, custom swabbing device to detect radiation on the surface. This pilot program is just one example of the plant’s commitment to continuously improve the safety and efficiency of its operations.
Notably, this trial will be the first implementation of the innovative swabbing tool, RAICo. It connects to Spot’s large, extendable arm with ease. This robotic arm just mimics the swabs that we human technicians would normally do. It allows for more accurate evaluations of hazardous settings. To hold these safety standards, the health physics team on Sellafield carries out hundreds of swabs each day. Since then they’ve gotten their own Spot, and they’re using that to simplify the process even further.
Deon Bulman, who manages Sellafield’s remotely operated vehicle kit, highlighted the advantage of using Spot in dangerous environments. Providing a clearer, more detailed look at facilities helps improve overall decommissioning efforts to be faster, safer and more cost-effective, he said. The robot’s nimbleness and quickness to react are advantages that help avoid dangerous territory. This capability goes a long way toward providing human workers greater safety protections.
According to Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, the director of RAICo, the thinking behind the RAICo tool arose following a triumphant trial at the Joint European Torus facility in Culham, Oxfordshire. That extraordinary accomplishment happened just last year. The ongoing trial at Sellafield reveals the robot’s extraordinary potential. Fourth, it’s testing cutting-edge creative fusion technology in the nuclear space.
Bulman pointed out how important the ‘haptic feedback’ feature is when swabbing. This unique capability provides operators with unprecedented control and precision when handling the robotic tool. This technological development complements our long-term work to advance the development and deployment of advanced robotics in the nuclear industry.
Sellafield is keenly interested in innovation to advance radiation monitoring and decommissioning efforts. By adding robotics such as Spot, the facility is taking a giant step toward improving operational safety and efficiency. This trial will provide important lessons learned about the feasibility of using robotic applications in such hazardous environments throughout the industry.