SBRI Sort & Seg
April 30, 2021Game Changers
We are using our fibre-optic Raman probes to detect organic compounds in pipes and vessels.
Clifton Photonics responded to the challenge issued by Sellafield Ltd (SL) and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) as part of the Game Changers programme. They put out a call for organisations to come up with game-changing improvements over the current techniques used for the characterisation of organics in vessels and pipework.
Problem
Sellafield and Dounreay have hundereds of meters of pipework leading to vessels which require post-operational clean out. Prior to the safe decommissioning and disassembly of these systems it is imperative that they know the location and identity of the chemicals in the pipework and vessels.
Solution
Raman Spectroscopy is a non-destructive optical sensing technique that does not require any sample preparation. Utilising our expertise in fibre-coupled Raman, we can produce remote redeployable radiation tolerant probes. They are capable of rapidly detecting and identifying residual chemicals in the legacy infrastructure.
Impact
The goal of the project is to minimize the risks in post operational clean out whilst expediating the process by eliminating the need for external laboratory analysis – saving time and money. Our fibre-optic Raman probes have potential application at sites beyond Sellafield and Dounreay, across the nuclear landscape.
