Man nukes up top bots for Dounreay decommissioning
A DOUNREAY veteran has played a key role in devising an array of robotic devices which will be used to strip out hundreds of components from the heart of the site’s prototype fast reactor (PFR).
Calder Bain is part of a team which has come up with eight remote control, multi-purpose grabbing, cutting, slicing and lifting tools capable of removing the core of the reactor whose closure in 1994 sounded the death knell for Britain’s fast reactor programme.
The senior design engineer, who was one of the first batches of apprentices at Dounreay and who has worked at the site for more than 50 years – since before construction on PFR started in 1968 – is now focused on the job of safely.
Mr Bain said: “A considerable amount of innovation was required to build PFR and there will be a continual requirement for pioneering methods to take a reactor of this complexity apart.
“This type of work gives both our young and experienced engineers the opportunity to put their innovative skills and knowledge into practice.”
All the tools that will be used on the job have in-built cameras and are designed to operate remotely in the highly radioactive environment. They have to be able to withstand being plunged more than 10 metres into the centre of the core to cut and remove components.
Mr Bain is passing on his years of experience and expertise to a new generation of design professionals who will be working on the reactor.
He added: “These engineers are demonstrating huge potential and are very capable and enthusiastic young Dounreay workers who will be at the forefront of the final stages of the PFR reactor dismantling programme.”
Ken Heider, project director for reactors said: “The reactor dismantling project is critical to the decommissioning of PFR.
“We need to use lateral thinking and unique ideas to design and build the necessary equipment to safely take apart the plant and remove the reactor vessel.
“The design of purpose-built equipment like this is a credit to all DSRL staff and contractors involved.”
The 250 megawatt reactor is due to be decommissioned by the mid 2020s at a total cost of £340 million.