Game Changers General Applications.pdf

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General applications

If you think that you have an idea which might be of interest to any of our partners, please submit an application to tell us more.You can learn about research areas which are of particular interest by reading our <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">partner pages</a>.Information about the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/projects" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">projects</a> we're currently funding should also help you to decide whether your technology might have application at Sellafield or NRS.In addition, you might like to read some of the historic challenge statements published on our site.If you'd like to explore your idea with us before submitting an application, please get in touch.Please note that applications can take up to 12 weeks to be assessed as funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis.

Applications for the Game Changers scheme are always welcome for any project or technology which could support nuclear innovation. If you have an idea which you think might be of interest to Sellafield, NRS Dounreay or Magnox, we'd love to hear from you.

Challenge statement - Non-intrusive characterisation.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSThe following is a high-level list of the characteristics that Sellafield Ltd needs to identify or discern with regard to their PCM drums, prior to processing in its Waste Treatment Complex:<ul><li>Physical nature of the contents, such as solid lumps, powders, liquids, sludges etc</li><li>Chemical composition of the above, with particular focus on potential explosives</li><li>In the case of pressurised vessels, it is important to understand whether the vessels have retained their pressurisation</li><li>Identification and quantification of reactive metal species</li><li>Quantification of the surface area of any aluminium present</li><li>Presence and nature of any complexing agents</li><li>Presence and quantities of asbestos</li><li>Presence and quantities of any neutron absorbers and reflectors, such as beryllium and graphite</li></ul>Further specifications on these criteria are given in the functional requirements section of the challenge statement.The challenge owners are willing to consider any solutions that can provide some but not all of the information required. All valid information relating to the contents of these packages is useful.Sellafield Ltd is seeking to implement solutions within a 2- to 5-year time frame.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.An interactive webinar will take place at 9:30am (GMT) on Wednesday 8th January where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask any questions. Attendance is free. Register <a href="https://forms.fis360.com/fis360ltd/form/GameChangerswebinarNonintrusivecharacterisationofl/formperma/-vATTuBg9mSovYd4EE6ymng_268iVn1j0xNm2lXKQok" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Tuesday 21st January 2025.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Non-intrusive characterisation of legacy waste drum contents

In preparation for the long-term disposal of legacy waste on the Sellafield site in a Geological Disposal Facility&nbsp;(GDF), waste package contents must be processed into a suitable safe and passive form. To process and treat the waste in the most safe, efficient and cost-effective way, Sellafield Ltd needs to fully understand the chemical, physical, radiological and fissile nature of the waste within the legacy packages.This challenge is focused on waste packages that contain untreated and unprocessed Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM). Key to this challenge is the ability to obtain the required characterisation without opening or disturbing the contents of the PCM drums.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking methods to characterise legacy waste drums that contain Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM) without opening or disturbing the drum contents.

Challenge statement - In-situ real-time characterisation.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSThe aim of this challenge is to enhance the characterisation toolkit at Sellafield – identifying technologies that can assess a wide range of waste material characteristics, including radiological, non-radiological, chemical, and physical properties.The solution(s) should be able to remotely identify and determine both the type and quantity of the following components in situ in any given waste material:<ul><li>Total petroleum hydrocarbons</li><li>Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)</li><li>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)</li><li>Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)</li><li>Heavy metals</li><li>Anions</li><li>Asbestos</li><li>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)</li><li>Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)</li><li>Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing</li><li>pH</li></ul>Sellafield Ltd is seeking solutions that can address all or part of the challenge and help reduce the current 12-week timeframe for data gathering and analysis of samples.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1030025899/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Tuesday 26th November 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

In-situ real-time characterisation and measurement of materials for effective nuclear waste management

Waste on the Sellafield site must be classified and any hazardous properties identified before handling and disposal. Conducting measurements in situ enables faster, real-time data gathering and analysis, facilitating immediate decision-making regarding the treatment, storage, recovery or disposal of waste.With such varied waste materials at Sellafield, it is recognised that a ‘toolbox’ of different technologies may be required, preferably one that works over a wide range of environments, providing a large suite of data/analysis. Note that not all analysis requires a numerical value to be beneficial and determining an analyte to be below the relevant hazardous waste threshold may be sufficient.

Sellafield Ltd is pursuing innovative solutions to accelerate the characterisation and measurement of materials through in-field testing capabilities.

Challenge statement - Lift it, shift it.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSThe solution should be able to encapsulate larger sections of ACMs that do not fit in a UN approved bulk bag, such as whole cement sheets and &gt;1 m sections of pipework, so that they can be transported as a whole and without further containment.It is critical that the solution must:<ul><li>Be compatible with the demolition methodology currently employed at Sellafield. This will require approval from licensed asbestos removal companies</li><li>Adhere to the following regulations that apply to transport and demolition contractors:</li><li class="ql-indent-1">ADR refers to the “European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road”, commonly known as ADR. It is a multilateral treaty that governs the transport of hazardous materials (dangerous goods) by road in Europe. A copy of the regulations can be found at https://unece.org/DAM/trans/danger/ publi/adr/adr2017/ADR2017E_web.pdf </li><li class="ql-indent-1">CAR2012 the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is an Approved Code of Practice that provides guidance for employers about work which disturbs, or is likely to disturb, asbestos, asbestos sampling and laboratory analysis. The Regulations set out legal duties and give minimum standards for protecting employees from risks associated with exposure to asbestos. A copy of the regulations can be found at https://www. hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l143.pdf </li><li class="ql-indent-1">CDM the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations govern the way construction projects of all sizes and types are planned in the UK, with the aim of improving the overall health, safety and welfare of those working in construction. A copy of the regulations can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ uksi/2015/51/contents/made </li><li>Provide adequate encapsulation that allows an SP168 exemption to be adopted. This exemption states that “Asbestos which is immersed or fixed in a natural or artificial binder (such as cement, plastics, asphalt, resins or mineral ore) in such a way that no escape of hazardous quantities of respirable asbestos fibres can occur during carriage is not subject to the requirements of ADR”.</li></ul>A solution which can be implemented as soon as is practicable is preferred.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1026847680/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Thursday 14th November 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Lift it, shift it: An alternative approach to asbestos removal

A number of buildings and pieces of equipment due to be decommissioned at Sellafield contain asbestos. There is a high potential risk of operators inhaling asbestos fibres when dismantling asbestos-containing materials (ACM), so the building dismantling process at Sellafield is conducted under strict protocols for handling and transporting ACM.Any solution that can provide sufficient containment of ACM to allow transport of larger components for off-site disposal would reduce the extent of on-site dismantling required, reduce the risk to operators, provide significant cost savings and speed up decommissioning.

Sellafield Ltd requires a safe and cost-effective means to remove asbestos-containing materials from its site. This challenge is seeking solutions that provide encapsulation of these materials prior to their removal for decontamination and disposal.

Challenge statement - Improvement of information management in Nuclear Safety Cases.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSThis challenge will seek solutions for one Nuclear Safety Case with the key challenge aims being:<ul><li>To improve the accuracy and visibility of the audit trail (golden thread) through Nuclear Safety Cases from the top level down to the plant operational and maintenance documents.</li><li>To reduce the time and cost required for the development, implementation, and maintenance of a Nuclear Safety Case, which will enable risks to be reduced more quickly.</li><li>To provide an automated solution. Nuclear Safety Cases are developed with stakeholders across plant that spend a lot of time and resource checking the Nuclear Safety Case documents and updates. An automated solution would help to free up this resource.</li><li>To improve change control for Nuclear Safety Cases, with reliable and accurate flagging of the cascade of changes required within all associated documents, when a single change is made to a single document. The ultimate aim would be to achieve automatic flagging once confidence levels have been met.</li><li>The greatest benefit will be gained if the solution can be backfitted to existing Nuclear Safety Cases, and so the solution is able to manage the Nuclear Safety Case documents which exist in a variety of formats.</li></ul>The challenge forms part of a package of work to improve the development and management of Nuclear Safety Cases at Sellafield. The aim is to deliver these improvements by:<ul><li>Reducing the amount of manual work to develop and Quality Assurance (QA) the various documents that form the Nuclear Safety Case.</li><li>Improving the consistency of the data format across all documents within the Nuclear Safety Case.</li><li>Reducing the amount of time taken to develop and manage Nuclear Safety Cases to better enable the Sellafield Ltd mission.</li></ul>Sellafield Ltd will consider a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) proposal, or may invest in the development of a solution. Either approach will require the oversight and approval of Sellafield Ltd’s Information Services Organisation (ISO).FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1006242588/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm (UK time) on Thursday 19 September 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION POST-WEBINARUpdate on the 6 Categories of ControlsThe output from safe cases (irrespective of the methodology used to derive them) used at Sellafield are:Engineered Protection (EPMs)<ul><li>Safety Mechanism (important for safety, generally an active system i.e. a trip)</li><li>Safety Related Equipment (less important for safety, might be an alarm requiring an operator response)</li><li>Safety Feature (considered a ‘passive system’ i.e. a shield wall or containment feature (so can be both important and less important)</li></ul>Operational Protection (often required operator response, OPMs)<ul><li>Operating Rule (highest level limit or condition)</li><li>Operating Instruction (usually a required operator action)</li><li>Operating Assumption (often a lesser required operator action or an assumption used to model the fault sequence development)</li></ul>

Improvement of information management in Nuclear Safety Cases

The Nuclear Safety Case is the body of evidence that justifies and demonstrates that nuclear hazards are adequately managed, that operations are safe and that associated risks are reduced to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). All related documents are subject to constant ongoing revision. There are no live links between these documents, which exist in a variety of formats.A solution is sought that accurately and efficiently manages the transfer of information within these Nuclear Safety Cases and associated documentation, as well as providing a verifiable audit trail for the changes it proposes.

Sellafield is a large, highly complex nuclear facility with a lot of structured data across its Nuclear Safety Cases, which require manual, resource-intensive processes to cascade changes. Sellafield Ltd is seeking technologies to improve the efficiency of managing its Nuclear Safety Cases and these processes.

Challenge statement - Directional decontamination head deployment into large, congested, highly radioactive vessels.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd is looking for technology that can deploy an ultra-high pressure water jetting (UHPWJ) head or other tools into a vessel that can:<ul><li>Cover the full internal surface of the vessel including internal pipework and structures.</li><li>Operate from a nozzle to surface metal distance of 50mm to 100mm.</li></ul>The aim is to decontaminate the vessel by removing the entire internal surface layer of metal.Access into the vessel is achieved via 150mm inspection ports that pass through the 1.5m thick concrete cell wall, then through a 150mm diameter access port on the metal wall of the vessel itself.Technology is being developed to cut an access port into a vessel and then fit a removable access plug through which any technological solution could be deployed.Some vessels have open tops or engineered access ports, but many don’t and would need access to be created. Therefore, the smaller and lighter the solution the better.Aggressive chemicals can be deployed by filling the entire vessel undergoing POCO; however, this produces unacceptable volumes of effluent. The ability to spray chemicals onto the internal surfaces of the vessel would use less of the reagent and reduce the effluent challenge. Ultra-high pressure water jetting (UHPWJ) or electrochemical methods would remove the need for reagents, if the deployment challenge can be solved.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/996576919/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 2pm on Wednesday 21 August 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Directional decontamination head deployment into large, congested, highly radioactive vessels

Post Operational Clean Out (POCO) of the Sellafield site requires the internal cleaning of large, highly radioactive vessels with complex internal configurations. Sellafield Ltd is seeking innovative solutions for deploying vessel cleaning heads and ultra-high/high-pressure water jetting or spray nozzles to apply decontaminating chemicals and foams inside these structures.The vessels' internal structures can include cooling/heating coils; fluid mixing and transfer devices; instrument dip-legs; internal vessels; and pipe support brackets. All of these internal structures require full surface decontamination. Any tool deployed to clean these internal structures would need to be able to navigate around them whilst cleaning them.

Sellafield Ltd is seeking innovative solutions that will deliver improvements over the current techniques used for deploying vessel cleaning heads into large, highly radioactive vessels with complex internal configurations.

Challenge statement - Fixatives for containment of alpha contamination in gloveboxes.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd would like to identify a fixative that securely fixes airborne alpha particles in place, along with an application method that can be deployed through a 150mm diameter glove port. The fixative solution must be chemically compatible with the glovebox materials, stable under ambient conditions and be as long-lasting as possible. Further details can be found in the “Functional Requirements” section of the challenge statement.Due to the risks of a breach of containment posed by ageing gloveboxes, a solution is desired as soon as practicable. As operations at the Analytical Services Laboratory at Sellafield, which contains many alpha contaminated gloveboxes, are being phased out, this further exacerbates the need for a fixative solution. Other methodologies have been trialled; however, Sellafield Ltd is looking to improve upon these.The ideal scenario would be the capability to coat a glovebox sufficiently for it to be transported without an outer box or crate. Treatment that enables an empty glovebox to act as a container for waste would be an added benefit. Due to the complex states of gloveboxes across site, and the resulting requirements on fixative technology, Sellafield Ltd understands this will be a challenge.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/992847469/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm on Thursday 15th August 2024.ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONSApplications are reviewed against set criteria by a panel of challenge owners, prospective end‐users from our partner organisations, and Game Changers project staff. Brief summary feedback will be provided if your project is not awarded feasibility funding.Application forms and posters will be assessed consistently and transparently using the following criteria:<ol><li>How well does the application align with the challenge aims?</li><li>Is the proposed solution credible from the perspective of deployment?</li><li>What potential does the proposed solution have to transform practice in your area?</li><li>Do you feel the applicant is well placed to deliver a feasibility project?</li><li>Would the solution proposed in the application benefit from feasibility funding?</li><li>Does the application meet the scope of the challenge?</li></ol>

Fixatives for containment of alpha contamination in gloveboxes

There are approximately 800 gloveboxes across the Sellafield site, made up of a variety of materials such as steel, plastics and elastomers, that contain radioactive material including alpha particles. Due to the advanced age of many of the gloveboxes, they may fail within the next few years, leading to a breach of containment.Sellafield Ltd would like to explore options for effective, strong and durable fixatives that would provide containment of alpha contaminated material within gloveboxes selected for decommissioning, preventing the radioactive contamination from becoming airborne during preparation and transfer of the gloveboxes for processing.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore options for effective, strong and durable fixatives that would provide containment of alpha contaminated material within gloveboxes selected for decommissioning.

Challenge statement - Non-invasive imaging of in-ground structures.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd are looking for a solution to provide a 3D image/model of the subsurface around buildings where as-built records may not be as comprehensive as desired.It is anticipated that successful solution providers should be able to provide a desk study to demonstrate the feasibility of a non-invasive technique.Sellafield Ltd are interested in emerging technologies and techniques such as muon tomography, quantum hall sensing and quantum micro gravity. Please note that the scope of this challenge is not restricted to making use of these specific examples.It may be possible to deploy a device in one of the blind tubes, within the wider Sellafield blind-tube network, for a number of weeks before moving it to another in order to build up information and potentially stitch together surveys. It is acknowledged that there would likely be the need to reconstruct a significant amount of information for presentation or interrogation.A solution to this challenge would be considered to have broad applicability across the site and the mapping of buried services would provide an additional benefit.However, there is a current imperative to gather better information in relation to a known leak from a building on the Sellafield site, which is the single biggest source of in-ground contamination. The current leak from the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo Original Building (MSSS OB) and first extension was declared in 2019. The Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS) at Sellafield comprise an Original Building constructed in 1962 and three subsequent extensions constructed between 1972 and 1982. The silos contain magnesium cladding or ‘swarf’ that was stripped from Magnox fuel prior to reprocessing and stored under a layer of cover water. The leak rate is around 2.5m3 per day from the Original Building, which is embedded in the ground by approximately 6m.Due to the method of building construction and subsequent, poorly documented, interventions in the ground around the MSSS OB and first extension, the form of in-ground engineering is poorly constrained. There is evidence to suggest that engineering features may be influencing the migration of contamination away from the leak site, and gaining a better understanding of these features would help with developing mitigation strategies.The Original Building goes about 6m underground. Concrete screeding to stop the collapse of excavated slopes was used during construction and these features may be influencing leak migration. The first evidence of a leak occurred when building the first extension at which time considerable excavation and backfilling was undertaken. However, only limited records of the full extent of these works are available. The construction method used changed between the first extension and second extension being built.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/933652837/"></iframe> The deadline for applications for this challenge is 4pm on Friday 26th April 2024 (revised from Friday 19th April).

Non-invasive imaging of in-ground structures

Sellafield Ltd is seeking technologies and approaches to identify the presence and composition of subsurface structures in the vicinity of buildings on the Sellafield site.Like many industrial sites of its age, Sellafield has a complex history of site use including the addition and removal of buildings over an extended period of time. This has resulted in a legacy of redundant physical forms both above and below ground level. This challenge is focussed on emerging technologies and techniques that can produce a 3D image/model of structures beneath ground, in particular around legacy waste storage facilities such as the Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS).

Sellafield Ltd is seeking technologies and approaches to identify the presence and composition of subsurface structures in the vicinity of buildings on the Sellafield site.

Challenge statement - Measuring waste bed liquor levels.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield Ltd needs to ascertain where the liquor level sits within a waste bed of sludge that is being stored under a damp/dry storage regime. This is analogous to measuring the level of groundwater in clay or soil.If there were large differential liquor levels between the six compartments in the MSSS OB, an imbalance of loading would be created on the internal walls due to different hydrostatic pressures on either side of the wall. The capability to confidently measure the liquor levels within the waste bed would allow mitigating action to be taken to ensure that the structural integrity of the internal walls is not exceeded.Sellafield Ltd are open to approaches that either measure the water level directly or infer the water level via other methods of measurement. Measurement of the pressure being exerted on the walls that does not provide measurement of the liquor level in the waste bed would not be discounted but would only partially satisfy the requirements of this challenge.Any solutions to this challenge deployed within the storage compartments of the MSSS OB would need to be radiation tolerant as the compartments contain Intermediate Level Waste (ILW). Sellafield Ltd are open to both in-situ and ex-situ solutions to this challenge.Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions that can reach the end of the Game Changers Proof of Concept project phase by the middle of 2025. At this point, it is expected that a design scheme would be available with the technology ready for active deployment.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/923467866/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 4pm on Wednesday 27th March 2024.

Measuring waste bed liquor levels

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technology which may be used to measure the liquor level within sludge beds inside waste storage silos. Approaches that either measure the water level directly or infer the water level via alternative methods of measurement are of interest. In-situ and ex-situ solutions to this challenge are invited.The Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) Original Building (OB) has six compartments containing corroded sludge consisting mainly of magnesium hydroxide, uranium and uranium oxide. The compartments are regularly topped up with water to keep the sludge under a head of liquor. It is important to be able to measure liquor levels within the waste bed to understand the pressures being applied to the walls of the MSSS OB. The essence of this challenge is to find a method of measuring the liquor level within a waste bed that has been allowed to drain naturally.

Sellafield Ltd would like to explore techniques and technology which may be used to measure the liquor level within sludge beds inside waste storage silos.

Challenge statement - Non-destructive inspection of redundant flasks.pdf

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CHALLENGE AIMSSellafield is looking for a solution that can provide the following information without the flasks being moved or damaged. There are two aspects:Identify the flask contents(in order of priority)<ol><li>Identify the presence of any remaining spent fuel/fuel debris</li><li>Identify the presence of any liquids/sludge</li><li>Identify the presence of any other solids (i.e. flask furniture)</li><li>Locate any solid, liquid or sludge within the flask</li><li>Quantify any solid, liquid or sludge within the flask</li></ol>Radiometric characterisation(in order of priority)<ol><li>Estimate the maximum dose rate expected if the flask lid was opened (the maximum dose rate criterion for R3 areas would normally be 100 μSv/h beta gamma)</li><li>Have limits of detection that enable the measurement of the internal loose surface contamination down to 40.0 Bq/cm² α or 400 Bq/cm2 β, and the airborne contamination down to 1.0 DAC (Derived Airbourne Concentration)</li><li>Confirm that the radioactive fingerprint is credible (if it aligns to a known fingerprint)</li><li>Determine total activity in Bq and specific activity in Bq/g (where the mass of the flask is known)</li><li>Indicate location of hotspots of radiation and contamination</li><li>Provide information on whether contamination is airborne, on the surface, or has penetrated the material</li></ol>This is a complex challenge and Sellafield Ltd is interested in technologies that provide either whole or partial solutions. In addition, it is key that any proposed solutions:<ul><li>Are suitable for use with a wide variety of flask types, and not be limited to specific dimensions, materials or conditions</li><li>Work in situ, without the flask being moved</li><li>Work inside buildings or outside in the open</li><li>Are transportable in a lift approximately 1200 x 1000mm, with a 2.5Te weight limit</li><li>Only act on the outside of the flasks, which must not be opened during the inspection</li></ul>The buildings that currently store some of the flasks are due to be demolished in around 2 years. Sellafield Ltd is looking to support the development of a solution that can be used on-site within this timeframe.FIND OUT MOREPlease download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.You can watch a webinar and Q&amp;A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/911202612/"></iframe>The deadline for applications for this challenge is 2pm on Monday 26th February 2024.

Non-destructive inspection of redundant flasks

Sellafield Ltd requires a precise understanding of the inventory on-site to support the clean-up and disposal of legacy materials. This includes a stock of over 200 flasks – large metal structures with thick walls that shield radiation. Flasks have been used widely across the Sellafield site to store and transport radioactive materials. The flasks vary significantly in dimensions, mass, age and radioactivity levels. Sellafield Ltd is looking for solutions that can verify the contents of each flask, including radiometric characterisation, without the flask being moved or damaged.

Sellafield Ltd is looking for solutions to identify the contents and internal activity levels of flasks that have been used to store or transport radioactive materials, without moving, opening or damaging the flasks.

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry. Learn about cutting-edge research developments and discover how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges that can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.October's session featured the following talk:<h2>Wall-climbing Crawler Robot</h2>A revolutionary wall-climbing robot developed as part of a 6-month Game Changers proof of concept (PoC) project was discussed by HausBots Co-founder, Jack Cornes.The Birmingham-based engineering firm developed a vertical truck, HB2, that utilises patented AEROGRIP technology, enabling the robot to climb vertical and horizontal surfaces of any material type. Capable of carrying a range of sensors, the ROV can be used to inspect storage tanks, chimney stacks and other infrastructure.HausBots designs and manufactures robotic solutions for inspecting and maintaining critical infrastructure to help increase safety and asset lifespans.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1020636280/"></iframe>

October's session featured HausBots Co-founder, Jack Cornes, discussing their revolutionary wall-climbing robot, developed as part of a 6-month Game Changers proof of concept (PoC) project. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks October 2024

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry. Learn about cutting-edge research developments and discover how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges that can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.This month's session featured the following talk:<h2>Monitoring waste containers</h2>The challenge of and solution for monitoring waste containers within the Interim Storage Facilities (ISF) at Sellafield was discussed by Callum Brierly, Senior Research Technologist at Sellafield Ltd, and Farzana Zainal Abidin, Robotics Engineer at Jacobs.A variety of radioactive material is stored in Self-Shielded Boxes (SSBs) within the Interim Storage Facility (ISF) at Sellafield, potentially for up to 100 years. The SSBs need to be periodically inspected to ensure the condition of the packages. Rather than moving the boxes for inspection, Jacobs has developed a prototype crane-deployed robot to gather data in-situ, with funding and support from the Game Changers innovation programme.The Waste Container Inspection Robot&nbsp;has the ability to fit in the canyons between stacks of boxes and in between boxes in a given stack, allowing a range of sensors or cameras to be deployed and feedback information.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1012824776/"></iframe>

September's session featured Callum Brierly from Sellafield Ltd and Farzana Zainal Abidin from Jacobs discussing the development of Jacobs' Waste Container Inspection Robot for Sellafield’s Intermediate Storage Facilities. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks September 2024

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June's session featured Jason Simpson from Dounreay and Dr Xin ‘Erwin’ Dong from the University of Nottingham discussing the development and deployment of a revolutionary prototype disposable modular snake manipulator. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks June 2024

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April’s session featured talks from Dr Ryan Seabright on Puncture resistant gauntlets, and Stephen McNulty on Mapping and monitoring corrosion of safety-critical ventilation systems. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks April 2024

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February's talk featured Sarah Bugby from Loughborough University and Sellafield's Jonathan Norman discussing&nbsp;Real-time gamma-optical imaging. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks February 2024

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone who is interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry, learning about cutting-edge research developments and understanding how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges which can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.December's webinar featured the following talk:Laser speckle interferometry inspection of reinforced concrete structures - Laser Optical Engineering LtdProfessor John Tyrer, Managing Director of Laser Optical Engineering Ltd, gave a talk about laser speckle interferometry being used to identify subsurface and surface cracks in composites and concrete structures. The equipment used can work on areas up to 1m2 in near real-time and is a non-destructive technique. Results were presented from the successful Game Changers project, set up to identify cracks in concrete beams, mortar and solid walls on the Sellafield site. Quantitative information about the strain energy around the crack now lets technicians begin to identify residual life in the components, helping to determine what repair work needs to be considered.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/891582539/"></iframe>

December's talk featured the use of laser speckle interferometry to identify subsurface and surface cracks in composite and concrete structures. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks December 2023

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Game Changers Technology Talk webinars are aimed at anyone who is interested in technical innovation in the nuclear industry, learning about cutting-edge research developments and understanding how the Game Changers programme helps solve challenges which can’t be met with off-the-shelf solutions.Scroll down for a link to a recording of this month's talks which featured:<h2>The creation, development and future of the FIRMArm modular equipment deployment device</h2>Access is a common issue in the nuclear decommissioning industry. Hazardous environments and hard-to-reach areas and buildings need to be inspected using safe, accurate and repeatable methods.Sheffield-based FIRMA Engineering have created FIRMArm, a flexible and cost-effective platform for use in the nuclear industry and beyond. The portable, easy-to-assemble, modular system can be tailored to each application, with quick assembly and no lifting equipment required. The segmented arm itself, which can extend more than 7m into a cell, can be fitted with an array of end-effectors, such as cameras, radiation monitors, suction devices and 3D scanners. The device is also able to deliver existing instruments and tools to remote locations, in a precise and stable manner.The FIRMArm talk will tell the story of development, from genesis to the present day, as well as touching on future work in the pipeline.<h2>Groundwater and contaminant passive flux estimates</h2>In this talk, Andy Gillett will outline the work conducted by GHD, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear, iFLUX and Sellafield, to help refine future groundwater remediation requirements at the Sellafield site.Conventional monitoring techniques of groundwater typically rely on a snapshot ‘spot monitoring’ approach, which may not fully represent groundwater conditions. This can result in a limited understanding of overall solute distribution and transport, leading to inefficient risk assessment and unsuitable remediation plans.Solute mass flux measurements can provide a technically more robust approach to assessing solute transport within groundwater. In this Game Changers funded project, GHD, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear, iFLUX and Sellafield, tested a new device using groundwater optimised to specific contaminants of concern. The innovative, simple, disposable device, which is left in-situ, has the potential to provide estimates of groundwater and contaminant flux using the existing borehole network at Sellafield.Key findings from the research conducted as part of this collaboration, along with comparisons to traditional methods and learning points, will be described in this talk.<h2>Watch the recording now:</h2><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/838719448/"></iframe><h2>﻿</h2>

This month's talks featured the FIRMArm modular deployment device; and groundwater monitoring using passive flux. Recording available.

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks June 2023

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If you missed this month's talks and would like to catch up, there's a recording link available at the bottom of this page.Use of near-infrared photo spectrometry to identify and quantify organic compounds at distance and in restricted access locations - I﻿mperial College LondonDuring POCO operations, there is a growing need to identify organic compounds in liquids, cruds, and other solids. In particular, the detection of Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), Dibutyl Phosphate (DBP) and Odourless Kerosene (OK). The analysis of these compounds is often complicated due to the limited access to their location. Commonly, the liquids and solids of interest are located within vessels whose only access is via narrow, long lengths of pipework.Imperial College has developed a novel near-infrared spectrometry with miniaturised probes and extended fibre optic cables. This system allows at distance analysis of most organic compounds of interest (including TBP, DBP and OK). The probe and fibre optic cable can pass through pipes as narrow as 15mm ID over distances of at least 20m.The system can also be used to identify the presence and location of immiscible layers in vessels such as pneumercators.This talk will demonstrate how the novel NIR system can be deployed and used to characterise organic compounds during POCO operations.Contaminated concrete removal using controlled heat-induced spalling - The U﻿niversity of SheffieldIn this talk a team of researchers from The University of Sheffield will discuss the work undertaken within the Proof of Concept phase of the Game Changers project “Contaminated concrete removal using controlled heat-induced spalling”. The project proposes a novel approach to remove layers of contaminated concrete, using heat-induced spalling of concrete as the driving mechanism. Traditionally seen as an uncontrolled and undesirable mechanism in structural fire engineering, heat-induced spalling is here exploited to induce and control the removal of the contaminated concrete layer.Jointly funded by Sellafield Ltd and Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, The University of Sheffield’s proof of concept project focussed on understanding the main challenges, advancing the proposed technology and producing a prototype system.The talk will outline the proposed technology, highlight scientific and technological challenges and discuss opportunities for further development.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/813243916/"></iframe>

This month's talks featured near-infrared photo spectrometry and contaminated concrete removal

Game Changers lunchtime Technology Talks March 23

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To view the presentations from the event please click on the links below:<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Robin.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Importance of Robotics and Innovation in Nuclear Decommissioning</a>- Robin Ibbotson, Chief Technology Officer, Sellafield Ltd and Chris Ballard,Robotics and AI Programme Manager, Sellafield Ltd<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Nottingham.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">COBRA: Industrial to Medical Surgery</a>- Abdelkhalik Mohammed Assistant Professor in Mechatronics, University of Nottingham<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/AWS.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Build for the Future: Cloud Innovation for the Nuclear Industry Amazon Web Services (AWS)</a>- Maria King, Account Manager, AWS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Game%20Changers%20WS.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Game Changers - a success story</a>- Frank Allison, CEO FIS360 Ltd James Hill, Director, Eadon Consulting Ltd Alex Allen, Technical Lead, Sellafield Ltd<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Game%20Changers%20Challenge.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Launch of Game Changers challenge Asset Inspection Through 19mm Diameter Access Ports</a>- David Hargreaves, Technical Specialist, Sellafield Ltd Stephen Israel, Spent Fuel Management Technical, Sellafield Ltd Karim Bahou, Project Manager, FIS360 LtdAutonomous Sort and Segregation of Nuclear Waste:<a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Barrnon.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barrnon Ltd</a><a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/Atkins.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Atkins Ltd</a><a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/RAI%20Event%20Programme%20F.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VIEW THE FULL EVENT PROGRAMME AND AGENDA</a>About this event&nbsp;Join us to connect with the robotics and AI community, learn about the latest advancements in the sector and hear from inspirational keynote speakers from diverse industries. Through engaging discussions and hands-on insights, we will highlight how far we have come, the current challenges we are facing, and where we want to go as a community to make technology better for a safer world.&nbsp;&nbsp;What to expect:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Stimulating panel discussions with leaders in the fields of robotics, AI and innovation&nbsp;</li><li>Inspirational exhibits&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The launch of a new Game Changers challenge</li></ul>And of course, the chance to network with local and national businesses as well as academics working on new and novel solutions for robotics and AI in extreme environments.&nbsp;Event programmeThe agenda, speaker profiles, floor plan, list of exhibitors and descriptions of the workshops and breakout sessions can be viewed in the <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/static/u/RAI%20Event%20Programme%20F.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">full event programme</a>

Bringing together businesses, engineers and academics focussed on the development of robotics and AI solutions, the event will encourage cross-sector collaborations and stimulate ideas and future innovation

Robotics and AI for extreme environments

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This month's talks will feature in-situ solid, liquid and gas analysis using Raman spectroscopy and super absorbent polymers as sub-surface seals

Lunchtime Technology Talk webinar Nov 22

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This month, Game Changers hosted another impactful sprint event at Energus, focused on tackling retrievals challenges faced at Sellafield. The event brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders and experts to collaboratively develop and refine challenges for the Game Changers innovation programme.Participants concentrated on two key themes critical to Sellafield’s operations:&nbsp;<ul><li>Characterisation of fuel-derived materials&nbsp;</li><li>Moving materials within Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) compartments&nbsp;</li></ul>Both themes represent significant challenges in nuclear decommissioning and waste management, where innovative solutions could deliver transformative outcomes. By diving deep into these areas, the event aimed to create a foundation for addressing these issues through collaboration and shared expertise.The day began with an overview of the Game Changers process. Sellafield Ltd’s Kirsty Sloan and Paul Hughes, experienced challenge owners, shared insights into the programme’s collaborative approach and its role in solving Sellafield’s complex challenges.Participants were then grouped for challenge development sessions, in which a range of interactive activities, tools, and techniques fostered a thorough exploration of the specifics of each challenge. Facilitators and project managers from FIS360 guided the sessions, capturing outputs that will shape detailed challenge statements.The Game Changers Challenge Sprint underscored the importance of collaboration in driving innovation within Sellafield’s operations. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event demonstrated the potential of collective expertise to tackle some of the nuclear industry’s most pressing issues.“This sprint exemplifies the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach of the Game Changers programme,” said a Game Changers representative. “The outcomes from today will help contribute to Sellafield’s ongoing innovation efforts.”The challenges refined during this sprint will now move into the next stage of the Game Changers innovation programme, with applications opening soon. These efforts promise to pave the way for groundbreaking solutions to key challenges in nuclear decommissioning, propelling Sellafield’s mission forward.

Game Changers sprint event at Energus brings together diverse mix of stakeholders and experts to collaboratively develop challenges focused on retrievals at Sellafield.

Game Changers hosts successful Innovation Sprint at Energus

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Technologies developed with Game Changers funding and support in the spotlight at the annual Technical Services Agreement (TSA) Collaboration Showcase.

Game Changers programme and innovations featured as part of Collaboration Showcase

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Appleby-based engineering company Barrnon Ltd has been awarded a significant contract extension with Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) Dounreay for the ongoing use of its Scabbler contaminated-concrete removal device. Funded by the Game Changers innovation programme, existing Barrnon technology was adapted for use on nuclear sites and is set to have a tremendous impact on demolition and decommissioning in the industry.The Scabbler was designed to tackle the complex challenge of safely removing contaminated concrete from nuclear facilities. The original Game Changers <a href="https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Removal_of_contaminated_concrete_from_ponds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">initiative</a> sought solutions for decommissioning concrete structures in highly contaminated areas, particularly ponds at sites such as Sellafield and Dounreay. Both locations have several ponds where concrete walls and floors need to be remediated before full decommissioning and demolition can occur.Barrnon applied for and secured Game Changers funding to conduct a feasibility study, followed by a successful proof of concept (PoC) project. The technology advanced beyond Game Changers to secure further funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Now, Barrnon's Scabbler is due to be actively deployed at Dounreay, with funding for onsite demonstrations provided by the nuclear site.Utilising Barrnon’s proprietary Rotocutter technology, the Scabbler has been adapted for the UK nuclear industry and the removal of concrete, focusing on safety and dust suppression, areas where traditional concrete-removal methods have fallen short. The Scabbler is a remotely-operated, hydraulically-powered device that not only removes compacted sediment and hardened concrete but also incorporates a unique dust suppression and collection system to prevent hazardous particles from becoming airborne.The Scabbler’s modular design allows for minimal operator interaction, with all sub-assemblies being easily replaceable and repairable, significantly reducing downtime. The machine can be remotely driven into position, lifted by crane into restricted areas, such as dry fuel storage ponds, or assembled on-site depending on project needs. The device features a vacuum system that collects waste directly from the removal head to a containment barrel of the client's choosing, ensuring the safe handling of hazardous materials."The Game Changers programme helped launch an important challenge with the right support in place to keep the project moving forward," said George Sewell, Chief Technology Officer at Barrnon Ltd. "It enabled us to build a strong relationship with the brilliant team at Dounreay, and we’re excited to see the ongoing development of the Scabbler and its potential applications across the NDA and beyond."The latest contract extension highlights the importance and scope of Barrnon's contributions to nuclear decommissioning, with potential future applications in other industries where airborne particles pose significant risks. This is another fantastic example of solutions and companies moving beyond Game Changers and finding success in the nuclear industry.

Appleby-based engineering company Barrnon Ltd awarded significant contract extension with NRS Dounreay for ongoing use of the Game Changers-funded Scabbler contaminated-concrete removal device.

Game Changers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges.We work with organisations of all sizes, across all sectors, to identify and develop the most promising technologies.

Game Changers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges.

We work with organisations of all sizes, across all sectors, to identify and develop the most promising technologies.