The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has taken a significant step forward in nuclear waste management, announcing a £9.5m partnership with AtkinsRéalis and Createc, collectively known as ARCTEC. This collaboration aims to deploy innovative technology for the first time to remotely and autonomously sort and segregate nuclear waste at the NRS Oldbury former nuclear site.
The project, Auto-SAS, will leverage the partners’ combined experience in developing automated systems and robotics within the nuclear energy sector. The technology promises to revolutionise the manual segregation of radioactive waste, a process currently fraught with complexity and hazard due to the nature of the material. By employing robotics, the system will more accurately categorise nuclear waste, reducing the need for costly waste routes and minimising human exposure to hazardous environments.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks highlighted the project’s potential, stating, “This cutting-edge partnership represents exactly the kind of innovation the UK needs to lead the world in safe, efficient nuclear decommissioning. It will put the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at the forefront of using robotics to sort nuclear waste.”
Auto-SAS will initially be deployed at the NRS Oldbury site in South Gloucestershire to separate low-level waste from intermediate-level waste. Andrew Forrest, NRS Chief Technical Officer, emphasised the project’s potential to accelerate nuclear waste management, commenting, “This collaboration brings a game-changing opportunity to accelerate nuclear waste management and help deliver the decommissioning mission sooner, safely and cost-effectively.”
The ARCTEC system will utilise a combination of sensors to categorise radioactive waste before robotic manipulators consign waste items to the most appropriate waste route. Robert Marwood, Head of Robotics and Technology for AtkinsRéalis, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s ambition, noting, “This is an ambitious project with the potential to automate a time-consuming process and develop a scalable system that segregates hazardous materials safely and efficiently.”
The success of Auto-SAS could have far-reaching implications for the nuclear decommissioning sector. By demonstrating the effectiveness of robotics in waste management, the project may pave the way for similar deployments at other NDA group sites, such as Sellafield. Moreover, the technology could inspire further innovation in the field, driving the development of new tools and techniques to tackle the challenges of nuclear waste management.
As the UK seeks to position itself as a leader in nuclear decommissioning, projects like Auto-SAS will be crucial in showcasing the country’s commitment to innovation and safety. The partnership between the NDA, AtkinsRéalis, and Createc represents a significant stride in this direction, with the potential to reshape the future of nuclear waste management.