Remote In-bore Laser Cutting and Welding Tools for use in Future Nuclear Fusion Reactors - 18348

Conference · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2018

OSTI ID:22975479

Kirk, S.; Keogh, K.; Tremethick, T.; Farquhar, I. ^[1]; Suder, W. ^[2]; Allen, C. ^[3]

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1. United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB (United Kingdom)
2. Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL (United Kingdom)
3. TWI, Granta Park, Gt. Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL (United Kingdom)

The maintenance, replacement and decommissioning of future nuclear fusion reactors will require quick and reliable cutting and joining of in-vessel pipework. Initial design studies for nuclear fusion reactors for power generation have estimated cutting and welding could account for up to 60% of the maintenance duration using conventional in-situ processing techniques (dry-mechanical cutting and arc welding) and that new methods are required to expedite the process. Additionally, the expected radioactivity and limited access at the cutting and welding sites mean that these processes cannot be done manually and robotic tools are required. To this end, remote in-bore laser cutting and welding tools have been developed for use in 90 mm internal diameter steel pipes. Here, we will present the designs of the remote in-bore laser cutting and welding tools, and how the tools fit within the overall remote maintenance strategy of a nuclear fusion reactor. Initial high-power laser trials were performed with prototype tools which successfully demonstrated their laser processing, thermal management and dust protection functionality. Although the tools described herein have been developed specifically for use within the fusion reactor environment, however the tool design and technology demonstrated here is readily transferable to many remote applications in challenging environments such as fission reactor maintenance, nuclear decommissioning and other in-accessible pipework. (authors)

• Research Organization: WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
• OSTI ID: 22975479
• Report Number(s): INIS-US--20-WM-18348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
42 ENGINEERING
ARC WELDING
CONTAINERS
CUTTING
DUSTS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
LASERS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PIPES
RADIOACTIVITY
REACTOR DECOMMISSIONING
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
STEELS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS