Decommissioning of nuclear facilities using remotely operated equipment

This paper describes the design development and testing of the remotely operated equipment which will be deployed to decommission the redundant Caesium Extraction Plant located at the British Nuclear Fuels plc Sellafield site in Cumbria, UK. The radioactive environment in which the project has to be carried out presents a number of unique challenges to the engineers involved. To carry out the project extensive new facilities are to be constructed. It is from these facilities that the Decommissioning Machine (DCM) will be deployed to remove the equipment located within the Caesium Plant. The DCM will be operated from a separate control room and observed by CCTV. Construction of the new facility is nearing completion with decommissioning operations due to start in year 2000.