Objetivo 1. Objectives Following a detailed investigation of operating constraints in decommissioning programmes and after preliminary testing, a laser cutting configuration was selected with the following characteristics: Nd-YAG source, fibre-optic waveguide, no cover gas, and an optical system capable of focusing at working distances of 200, 500 or 1000 mm. Our objective is to cut metal plates, initially in thickness up to 20 mm, at workpiece-to-lens distances of up to one meter, using a Nd-YAG source with a maximum power rating of 1.2 kW (standard operating power: 800 W), while generating very little secondary waste. Radius Engineering will manufacture innovative Zn-S lenses with high performance antireflection coatings that are well suited for use with the infrared radiation of the Nd-YAG source. Three lenses will be fabricated, with focal lengths of 200, 500 and 1000 mm. Cutting tests will be performed at Saclay, in the cell used under contract FI2D-0013. The optimum laser operating parameters (including cutting rate) will be determined for each workpiece thickness, material grade (stainlee and mild steel) and focal length; the secondary waste production will then be characterized in each configuration. The test results may be imported into the DB-TOOLS data base if desired. 2. Expected Benefits The main advantage of the project is to allow the use of laser cutting for decommissioning operations: i.e. using fibre optics with a remote Nd-YAG laser source, and using an optical system allowing suitable workpiece standoff dimensions (up to one metre), making a cover gas unnecessary and allowing work to progress in cramped locations. The system will be capable of cutting parts of complex shapes without close range contour tracking, thus avoiding possible collisions and making complex automatic control provisions unnecessary. Thicknesses of up to 20 mm may be cut with a laser rated at no more than 1 kW (compared with the next generation of Nd-YAG lasers rated at up to 3 kW). Cutting of heavy -gauge parts in several passes may be tested at a later stage of the project. The laser cutting system will not generate large amounts of secondary waste; the system will be compared with the tools tested under the previous contract (FI2D-0013). Remote cutting without the use of a cover gas is a highly innovative solution that contradicts published work on the subject to date. The CEA intends implementing the CLAUDIN process in decommissioning projects as early as 1998. Programa(s) EAEC-NFS 2 - Specific research and training programme in the field of nuclear safety and safeguards, 1994-1998 Tema(s) 030401 - Development and innovative dismantling techniques Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinador Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Centre d'Études Nucléaires de la Vallée du Rhône Cité de Marcoule 30205 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Francia Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Participantes (1) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo Radius Engineering NV Bélgica Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 138E,Meersstraat 9000 Gent Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
