Robots Will Take Dounreay's Dome Apart
20th November 2011
Like something out of the Tom Cruise movie War of the Worlds, the Kuka robot has a very important job to do.
The standard industrial robot, built exactly the same as a typical car assembly line robot, will play an integral part in the demolition process of Dounreay's iconic fast reactor.
Removal of the highly hazardous and radioactive breeder slugs is the next crucial step in decommissioning the fifty year old facility.
The robot does the job traditionally undertaken by operators using manipulators whilst working through heavily shielded lead glass windows. The working area is very high in radiation - too high for people to access, so the robot does the job safely and much quicker, lowering the radiological hazards, plus providing consistency and reliability in a highly controlled environment.
The giant orange robot, built by Kuka Robotics UK Ltd, manoeuvres on a static turntable and is pre-programmed to remove the lid of the 500 litre waste drums, swab around the surface checking for traces of radioactive contamination and clean the top of the Magnox flask which stores the drums.
It operates like a giant portable pincer arm and is controlled remotely to maintain a safe, clean and secure process within the breeder packaging plant.
Inactive commissioning will be complete by the end of the financial year ready for the breeder removal operation to begin in summer 2012.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
3/12/2025
TAE Technologies and UKAEA partner to commercialise fusion tech
Joint venture to develop neutral beams for fusion and non-fusion applications, creating high-skilled jobs and establishing a critical supply chain. TAE Technologies, a leading US private fusion energy firm with over 25 years at the forefront of scientific innovation, today announces a bilateral and reciprocal investment commitment with the United Kingdom's national fusion laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to commercialise TAE's proprietary particle accelerator technology for the global market.
1/12/2025
Buried Hazards, Unfinished Business - What the NDA's 2025 Progress Report Really Tells Us
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has released its 2025 Mission Progress Report is a slightly sprawling document chronicling one of the UK's most complex environmental undertakings. The safe dismantling of its early nuclear legacy.
30/11/2025
New recruit officers join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) welcomes its newest recruits. The CNC hosted two passing out parades for the graduating Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) of Initial Foundation Programme (IFP) 106.
29/11/2025
Dounreay's next generation of talent honoured by apprentice award
Nuclear Restoration Services Dounreay's Kate Thomson has won Modern Apprentice of the Year at the Highlands & Islands Apprenticeship Awards in Inverness. Kate, who is in the second year of her apprenticeship in commercial and quantity surveying, said she was thrilled by the honour.
24/11/2025
Taskforce calls for radical reset of nuclear regulation in UK
Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce publishes final report and calls for radical reset of overly complex nuclear regulatory system. An overly complex nuclear regulatory system has contributed to the "relative decline" of the UK's ability to deliver faster and cheaper nuclear projects.
20/11/2025
NDA working with private developer to accelerate Chapelcross Hub
The NDA group has announced it's working with CX Power as the strategic developer to support the delivery of the green energy hub masterplan at Chapelcross. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has announced it's working with CX Power as the strategic developer to support the delivery of the green energy hub masterplan at Chapelcross, a programme set to transform the region.
18/11/2025
Funding approved for Wick Harbour port consultant
A specialist ports consultant has been appointed to develop a long-term strategic plan for Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) in Caithness. WHA has secured £47,775 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Nuclear Restoration Services, NRS Dounreay towards the cost of the services.
15/11/2025
NDA announces £1 million funding to accelerate clean energy in West Cumbria
NDA announces £1 million investment to develop masterplan for clean energy development on land adjacent to Sellafield. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced today it's investing £1 million of funding to develop the masterplan for a clean energy development on land adjacent to Sellafield, known as Pioneer Park.11/11/2025
Fallon Campbell From Melvich Near Thurso Named As Apprentice of the Year At Awards In London
Rising star from North Scotland honoured at event to celebrate brightest and best in industry. An electrical apprentice from North Scotland is celebrating after being recognised for her contribution to industry at the 13th annual Engineering Construction Industry ECI Training and Development Awards in London.
15/10/2025
The NDA Group Graduate Programme: more than a job
The NDA group graduate scheme offers far more than just a stepping stone into the nuclear industry; it's a chance to grow professionally, explore new places, and become part of a supportive community. Nuala Ledward, Assurance and Performance Graduate, shares how her secondment to Dounreay brought these benefits to life.
Our Social Media
