NDA group announces pioneering robotic waste sorting system for nuclear sites

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership to deploy remote autonomous technology for sorting and segregating radioactive waste at nuclear sites – the first project of its kind in the industry.

The NDA will invest up to £9.5 million over four years in this collaborative initiative involving Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), Sellafield and Nuclear Waste Services (NWS). The project addresses the significant challenges of manual radioactive waste handling.

Current manual segregation processes present considerable hazards due to the nature of the materials involved. The NDA emphasised the need for caution as mixed waste streams are currently categorised broadly as Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) or Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM) rather than being sorted by specific type or radioactivity level.

The new robotic system promises multiple benefits. It will enable more accurate waste categorisation through advanced sensor technology while removing personnel from hazardous environments. The NDA noted this approach prevents unnecessary use of higher-cost waste processing routes when they aren’t required.

The Auto-SAS system will employ a combination of sophisticated sensors to classify waste before robotic manipulators handle and direct items to their optimal disposal routes. This automated solution builds on previous innovation competition developments that demonstrated the potential of such technology.

AtkinsRéalis and Createc will deliver the project through their ARCTEC partnership, combining their extensive experience in developing automated systems and robotics for nuclear applications. The system will be implemented at the NRS Oldbury site, a former nuclear facility.

Melanie Brownridge, chief R&D officer at the NDA, commented: “This is a hugely exciting project that could revolutionise our approach to waste management. The robotic sorting technology has potential to save hundreds of millions of pounds in storage and disposal costs while improving safety.”

Brownridge added: “It demonstrates excellent collaboration across the NDA group and supply chain to develop transformative decommissioning solutions that help us deliver our mission more safely and efficiently.”