Asset inspection through 19mm diameter access ports

Sellafield Ltd are seeking solutions to enable the remote, visual inspection of duct systems. The duct systems are long and congested areas, with tank rooms positioned along their length. Access is restricted to a 19mm bore inspection port through 0.35m - 1m of concrete. Inspection of this ductwork and the adjoining tank room areas are required in order to understand more about their condition and the condition of the assets inside. To-date, this has proven challenging, and this is primarily due to the access constraints.

A solution that can be deployed through narrow access ports that provides reliable, high quality images of the areas inside, would be of high interest to Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estate more widely.

CHALLENGE AIMS

The solution to this challenge must be capable of providing a detailed visual inspection of an entire duct system, and six adjoining tanks rooms, providing high-quality still images and real time video feed to the operator, where access to the duct system is constrained to a 19mm diameter bore through 0.35m - 1m of concrete.

The duct systems (L x W x H: ~270m x 3m x 3m) are long and congested areas, with tank rooms positioned along their length. The deployment system must provide a method of determining the depth of entry of the camera system.

Remote operation is required, and the operator can be stationed at the entrance of the access port. The next scheduled inspection is in 2025, and Sellafield are seeking a step-change improvement over the existing capabilities. Due to the time limited nature of this challenge, there will be an emphasis on well-developed technologies.

FIND OUT MORE

Please download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.

You can also watch a webinar and Q & A session with the challenge owners for more information and details of how to apply.

The application deadline for this challenge is 12 noon on 4th May 2023.