We are interested in improving our understanding of the long-term storage of plutonium. This includes the behaviour of the plutonium, the storage package and the store.
We are also interested in how the operation of our stores (package movement or inspection and store monitoring) could be improved, particularly through the implementation of remotely operated technologies and techniques (robotics). This work is done in close collaboration with Sellafield Ltd.
Get in touch with research@nda.gov.uk
Plutonium dioxide is a very dynamic material. Radioactive decay damages the lattice and also forms other elements in the material. Helium, an inert gas, may be localised or trapped in the lattice, or maybe released. Uran...
Funded by: EPSRC
Lead research organisation: University of Manchester
This project specifically focuses on the behavior of plutonium dioxide in storage, addressing the long-term storage aspect of the question.
In the UK, electricity generation using Nuclear Power is key to energy security and to achieving Net Zero. After six decades of commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing by Sellafield Ltd (SL), the UK has the largest inventor...
Funded by: FLF
Lead research organisation: University of Glasgow
The project addresses the long-term storage of plutonium, behavior of plutonium, storage package, and store, as well as improvements in store operation through remotely operated technologies.
When a nuclear power station enters the decommissioning phase a large amount of nuclear waste is generated. This waste, which is made up of a range of materials with differing radioactive content and intensity, as well a...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: EDF ENERGY R&D UK CENTRE LIMITED
This project addresses the improvement of store operation through the implementation of remotely operated technologies, aligning with the question's focus on store monitoring and robotics.