Member Article

Webtool Steel Cutter for Nuclear Decommissioning Projects

Renowned for their development of hydraulic cutting tools for the subsea market, Allspeeds Limited has established itself within nuclear decommissioning through the supply of Webtool cutters to, amongst others, Sellafield Limited, for the removal of steel infrastructure from de-canning bays, which had previously been used to store spent fuel rods and operational waste. The tooling package has significantly reduced the time and complexity of cutting steel sections during decommissioning operations.

In total, 12 de-canning bays, adjacent to the main Pile Fuel Storage Pond, are being decommissioned. The practicalities of cutting the steelwork as a series of multiple steel sections, both above and below the water, ruled out conventional cutting methods. Allspeeds developed a Webtool guillotine cutter capable of slicing through steel channels measuring up to 203 x 102 mm (8“ x 4“).

The Webtool guillotine action provides a clean cut with negligible waste, avoiding the swarf and dust associated with using an angle grinder or saw, for example. Weighing 235kg, the Webtool RCV215A tool includes a lifting frame designed to hold the tool in multiple positions and orientations. Once lowered onto the steel section, the tool’s hydraulically activated anvil wraps around the steel section and the blade is deployed, completing the cut in a few seconds. A key operational benefit of the Webtool cutter is the minimal blade changes compared with using grinders and saws.

“The Webtool cutter has proven to be highly effective both above and below water, enabling us to use a single tool for the steel works removal project,” says Clark Mossop, project engineer, Sellafield Ltd.

Although the cutter is available to purchase as a single item, the complete Webtool steel section cutting package includes the RCV215A (215mm guillotine cutter) and full lifting kit including lifting frame, slings, hydraulic pump and hoses. Another development within the nuclear industry was the introduction of a bespoke designed tool to cut small diameter irradiated tube.

Because the levels of radiation precluded human intervention, the guillotine blade was required to be replaceable using remote manipulation. For this requirement, a cradle was fabricated allowing both the blade and anvil to be removed by manipulating two quick-release toggles, and tilting the tool.

Webtool croppers for nuclear decommissioning and maintenance are available in a range of standard sizes. We are able to assist with tool selection, including blade material and geometry, cutting technique and power requirements. For operations in difficult to reach and confined spaces, Webtool offers croppers measuring just 15.2cm (6 inch) able to cut 8mm (0.3 inch) wire rope.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by iCONQUER Ltd .