Modification and long-term testing of a prototype manipulator for removing slag, temperature measuring and taking samples during melting of radioactive material

Project Information

Grant agreement ID: FI2D0089

Project closed

Start date 1 February 1995

End date 31 January 1996

Funded under

• Specific research and technological development programme (Euratom) in the field of decommissioning of nuclear installations, 1989-1993

Total cost € 140 000,00

EU contribution € 70 000,00

Coordinated by

Ansaldo SpA - Un'Azienda Finmeccanica
Italy

Objective

The main objective was the development of a new, simple manipulator for tasks like slag removal, sampling, temperature measurement to be carried out normally by man through a melting process in a commercial foundry. For the melting of radioactive material, the use of a manipulator minimizes the risk of hazardous contamination of the work force.

The objective was extended in order to test a prototype manipulator during a long-term operation (about 12 months) on a commercial melt facility dealing with nuclear waste.

The research work will be coordinated by Ansaldo SpA but mainly carried out by the Siempelkamp Gießerei. The main items of the work programme are:

1. Updating of system specification (Siempelkamp, Ansaldo, OTO Melara)
The modifications and adaptations to be carried out on the prototype manipulator will be established by Siempelkamp in agreement with Ansaldo and the EC.

2. Upgrading the manipulator (Siempelkamp)
Procurement of the necessary new components, adaptation/modification of remaining components and assembly of the manipulator at the CARLA melt facility.

3. Implementation and function testing of modifications and adaptations (Siempelkamp)
Siempelkamp will achieve the agreed modifications and adaptations on the manipulator. Function tests with non-radioactive material (cold tests) and with radioactive material (hot tests) will be carried out on the CARLA melt facility at Krefeld in order to verify the "good operation" of the manipulator. Implementation of further improvements if necessary.

4. Long-term operation on CARLA melt facility (Siempelkamp)
The manipulator will be installed on the CARLA melt facility and will be used permanently. After a significant period (eg one year), Siempelkamp will inform the EC (short work progress report) on the outcome of this campaign.

5. Final evaluation of results obtained (Ansaldo, Siempelkamp, OTO Melara)
The melting of contaminated metallic materials (< 200 Bq/g) using the manipulator will be evaluated with regard to costs, melt time, safety, occupational radiation exposure and radioactive emissions; it will then be compared to the presently used melting procedure.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › other engineering and technologies › nuclear engineering › nuclear waste management

Programme(s)

• FP2-DECOM 3C - Specific research and technological development programme (Euratom) in the field of decommissioning of nuclear installations, 1989-1993

Topic(s)

• A5 - Adaptation and qualification of remote controlled systems

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Ansaldo SpA - Un'Azienda Finmeccanica

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Corso Perrone 25 ; 16161 Genova ; Italy
• Total cost: No data

Participants (2)

Oto Melara SpA

Italy

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Via Valdilocchi 15 ; 19100 La Spezia
• Total cost: No data

SIEMPELKAMP NUKLEAR- UND UMWELTTECHNIK GMBH & CO.

Germany

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 45,Siempelkampstra?e 45 ; 47803 Krefeld
• Total cost: No data