The collaborative team, spearheaded by James Fisher Nuclear are pleased to offer our innovative, yet transferable solution to the Technical Specification supplied. We believe that we have identified an end-to-end solution utilising several emerging technologies and SME’s to deliver a step change to the decommissioning approach. A blend of new technology and novel applications of existing technology form the basis of our submission which we believe can be developed and fully integrated within the boundaries of the contract. The combination of our facilities and collaborative partners enables us to deliver this project to phase 2 and beyond. Existing facilities, site locations and experience of personnel enable us to offer value for money from the collaborative team. Utilising existing NDA assets and hiring equipment for development and demonstration will minimise our upfront capital equipment costs, allowing the project budget to be spent primarily on valuable labour activities.

Permanent ultrasonic monitoring of parts of operational nuclear power stations that can currently only be monitored when the plants are shut down will provide increased confidence in operating safety, more efficient operation with lower costs and reductions in exposure to harmful radiation for maintenance personnel. The PUMA project will seek to overcome the technical challenges that have so far prevented the attainment of these highly desirable goals. Using the experience and expertise of the consortium members, it will develop and test ultrasonic phased array sensors capable of detecting cracks shortly after they first occur and monitoring them continuously thereafter. This will allow planned repairs to be undertaken before there is any risk of failure, while avoiding unnecessary interuptions to plant operation. This capability will revolutionise in-service inspection in the nuclear power and other major industries and open up worldwide opportunites for UK inspection businesses.