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Remote Handling Equipment
In order to limit exposure of personnel to hazardous conditions, remote handling systems are used to transport and manipulate tools and equipment in and around areas where workers must operate or service reactor systems. The requirement for a handling system may be permanent, such as for handling fuel during reactor operation, or temporary, to facilitate maintenance or decommissioning activities.
Numet can supply remote handling equipment for most hazardous operations. This equipment can be custom designed to meet the most difficult requirements for drive force, speed, payload and positional accuracy.
Scope of Supply Offered
Numet can begin work on a project at any stage, although typically we begin with a set of functional requirements that are prepared by the client. After developing an acceptable concept, Numet prepares a detailed design using modern solid modeling techniques. Numet provides all of the engineering analysis required, which may include structural, seismic, radiological shielding, performance, operability, reliability, and safety. Numet has both the mechanical and electrical capabilities in-house, including the capabilities for the design and supply of instrumentation and controls, and the skills to provide the associated system programming that may be required.
Work transfers seamlessly from our design office to our own fabrication facilities for machining, welding assembly, inspection and examination. Mock-up testing of equipment is provided to ensure that the equipment operation is fully compliant with all performance requirements, before the equipment leaves the shop. Detailed documentation provided describes all aspects of operation and maintenance of the equipment.
Typical Equipment Features
complex movement, including translation and rotation about the major axes
controlled drive forces, speeds and accuracies
low maintenance suitable for use in radioactive or hazardous environments
fully interlocked control systems (local pendant or remote consoles) to ensure the safe operation of the system
position and speed displays provided by active feedback loops
designed for ease of cleaning and decontamination
Special Design Considerations
Numet's remote handling systems are often operated in high radiation environments and in areas with limited accessibility. Equipment must be designed for low maintenance. Special design consideration must often be given to the operation of the equipment by workers who may be encumbered by protective clothing and equipment. Radiation resistance components must be incorporated into the design, and the equipment must be designed to facilitate decontamination for storage after use. It is also of paramount importance that the equipment be reliable and durable, as there is frequently a high cost for down-time in a Nuclear facility.
To view some examples of Remote Handling Equipment use the menu to the left or select from the list below.
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Calibration Facility & Tooling Station (CFTS)
This custom system was designed and supplied by Numet as part of a process for the inspection of fuel channels in a CANDU type reactor. It is an excellent example of the diversity of expertise sometimes demanded for custom equipment in nuclear applications.
The "CFTS" is installed within the reactor vault, immediately below the reactor core. It interfaces with an inspection tool delivery system that inserts inspection tools into the core. Any tool to be inserted into the core is first inserted into the CFTS. The CFTS serves as a mockup of the reactor itself, by simulating reactor conditions which these various sophisticated types of inspection tools will subsequently experience within the core. Tools can be stored in the CFTS and the tools can be tested and calibrated immediately before each use in the reactor. More...
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Vessel Transfer Vehicle
One of our international clients requires routine change-out of various shielded vessels. The vessels operate in very tight quarters within the system, and thus this change-out process requires a unique compact vehicle, with a large lift capacity, but with a sensitive touch. Numet's custom designed solution is a pendant controlled vehicle with high tolerance positioning that "turns on a dime". More...
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Fusion Reactor Remote Access Vehicle
Numet's nuclear design experience applies equally to both fission and fusion type reactors. Numet designed and supplied this vehicle as a full-scale proof of principle mock-up, to demonstrate the ability to access the inner torous of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). This system is part of Canada's contribution to this next generation fusion reactor being designed as a international cooperative effort. More...
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Telescopic Arms for Access to Underground Radioactive Waste Storage Tanks
Radioactive waste in underground storage tanks presents an inhospitable environment for inspection and decontamination activities. Numet provides simple robust arms with a unique telescopic joint system designed for the rigors of this type of application. More...
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Light Duty Utility Arm Deployment System
Numet provided its design expertise for this above ground deployment system for delivery of a ground version of SPAR Aerospace's "Canada Arm".
The space shuttle developed control technology allows the arm to snake through a maze of obstacles within underground radioactive waste storage tanks, to aid in the assessment and clean-up operations on the tanks. The application presented demanding tolerance requirements for its deployment with only a ten inch tank opening available for access. More...
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Remote Tool Carrier
Major refurbishment work on the face of a CANDU reactor core requires sophisticated remote handling equipment designed for the rigors of a highly radioactive environment. More...
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Worktable Tool Delivery System
Complex reactor core refurbishment activities require a wide range of specialized tooling, each with its own set of positioning and rigidity requirements. In support of reactor refurbishment these tooling delivery systems can be remotely positioned to any location across the reactor face, where they can accurately align and rigidly support custom tools while they perform their refurbishment operations. More...
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Vitrification Facility Load Lowering Device
The process of vitrifying high level radioactive waste is performed in an environment accessible to operators only with remote handling equipment.
The supply of this unique fully mechanical, non powered, Load Lowering Device, won Numet a "contractor of the year" award for the ingenuity of its operating principle, and for schedule performance in delivering this critical path item to an important DOE project. More...
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