Nuclear Power

lasers for nuclear power plant decommissioning

  IPG fiber lasers are well recognized as cost and time saving tools for cutting and processing metals of various grades and thicknesses; these savings are crucial for nuclear decommissioning applications.

By 2030, over 20 sites in the UK alone will need to be decommissioned, the process will include the cutting of both contaminated and non-contaminated metal pipes, cylinders and an array of metallic structures.

Conventional methods such as abrasive or flame cutting techniques are limited and will take decades to accomplish the enormous task on hand. Highly contaminated environments are especially difficult to access or work in for any length of time, as well as posing health and safety risks that are not worth taking. IPG’s fiber lasers provide innovative laser-based solutions to transform the process. The ability to deliver the required laser energy safely and efficiently for laser cutting applications or ablative techniques is central to this application. The ability to minimize contaminated surfaces and size-reduce components for safe and practical storage are significant breakthroughs that cannot be ignored.

IPG Photonics YLS kW-class fiber lasers are the tools that offer these benefits and advantages to the nuclear decommissioning contractors. Contact Stan Wilford for more information on how IPG’s fiber lasers can assist with your nuclear decommissioning project.

Nuclear Decommissioning Case Study - LaserSnake 

OTC Robotics partnered with TWI demonstrates a snake-arm with IPG's YLS-5000 fiber laser cutting its way through metal sheets and pipework to reach the target location. View LaserSnake Video

Decommissioning - A Laser Alternative - View video courtesy of TWI here

Super Lasers to Speed Up Nuclear Decommissioning NuclearCONNECT, January 2012