Robotics applied in the module for fabrication and refabrication of dense mixed uranium-plutonium fuel of the pilot demonstration energy complex of «SCP» JSC. Decommissioning of nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities as a driver of Russia’s and world

Robotics applied in the module for fabrication and refabrication of dense mixed uranium-plutonium fuel of the pilot demonstration energy complex of «SCP» JSC. Decommissioning of nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities as a driver of Russia’s and world

Vasiliy V. Tinin
PhD in Technical Sciences, JSC «Siberian Chemical Combine», Technical Director, 1, Kurchatova ul., Seversk, Tomsk region, 636039, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dmitry V. Zozulya
JSC «Siberian Chemical Combine», Director of Experimental Demonstration Energy Complex, 1, Kurchatova ul., Seversk, Tomsk region, 636039, Russia

Evgeniy V. Lachkanov
JSC «Siberian Chemical Combine», Director of Dense Fuel Production of Experimental Demonstration Energy Complex, 1, Kurchatova ul., Seversk, Tomsk region, 636039, Russia

Andrey S. Dakhno
JSC «Siberian Chemical Combine», Head of Decommissioning Department, 1, Kurchatova ul., Seversk, Tomsk region, 636039, Russia

Received October 19, 2022

Abstract
The article is devoted to the topic of great current interest that is the issue of using robots in the nuclear industry, in particular, in the module for fabrication and refabrication (MFR) of dense mixed uranium-plutonium fuel of the Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC) of “SCP” JSC. The author attributes this to the danger or impossibility of direct participation of a person in some operations associated with adverse effects of high radiation burden and toxicity on the human body. Therefore, the author emphasizes the need to use technologies for indirect control of a number of processes or their automation, partial or complete. Particular attention is paid to the fact that robots are not introduced into existing production lines, but the robotic fabrication of fuel is implemented from the very outset, i.e. at the design stage. The author predicts that one of the benefits gained from the employment of robots will be the ability to ensure product quality at a more stable level. The article clarifies that, at the MFR, robotic manipulators, automated guided carts (AGC), and transfer carts will be used in the principal process in operations concerned with the fabrication of fuel assemblies, when handling radioactive waste, and in automated transport system lines. The growing need to solve the problems of decommissioning of nuclear energy facilities (NEF) requires new approaches to their implementation, including the minimization of human work directly in conditions of increased radiation background. As such an approach, it is suggested to use modern robotic technologies that make it possible to efficiently resolve problems at all stages of decommissioning of nuclear energy facilities, thereby adopting a comprehensive problem-solving approach and laying the groundwork for the future. The introduction of robotic complexes within the framework of the federal project not only has practical value for the NEF decommissioning in terms of resource efficiency, cost optimization and speed of project work, but also enables the implementation of Russia’s strategic tasks in the social and economic spheres.

Key words
«SCP» JSC, PDEC, MFR, fuel assemblies, RW, robotic manipulators, AGC, decommissioning, nuclear energy, federal project, robotic technologies.

DOI
10.31776/RTCJ.11209

Bibliographic description
Tinin, V.V., Zozulya, D.V., Lachkanov, E.V. and Dakhno, A.S. (2023). Robotics applied in the module for fabrication and refabrication of dense mixed uranium-plutonium fuel of the pilot demonstration energy complex of «SCP» JSC. Decommissioning of nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities as a driver of Russia’s and world robotics markets. Robotics and Technical Cybernetics, 11(2), pp. 153-160.

UDC identifier:
000.896:007.52:621.039

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