Scientific and analytical services – Non-destructive Testing, Materials Science and Structural Integrity, Radiochemistry
Amentum’s technical capabilities are underpinned by extensive laboratory and research and development facilities in the UK and Europe. We provide a range of research, analysis, testing and bespoke engineering solutions for sectors including nuclear, aerospace, clean energy, infrastructure and oil and gas.
We create innovative and fit for purpose solutions to engineering challenges, drawing on:
- A 12,000m2 laboratory hub in Warrington, complemented by facilities in Cumbria, Harwell, Humberside and Slovakia
- Specialist scientific laboratories, test rigs, workshops and high height flexible facilities
- More than 700 technical experts and practitioners
- World class expertise in materials, chemistry, radiochemistry and structural integrity
- Advanced robotics and remote operations capability
- Independent assurance to clients in high hazard industries
“Across these facilities, we collaborate with clients and suppliers, developing new technology or adapting established systems from industries such as the medical and space sectors, to find safer, faster and more cost-effective ways to dismantle and decommission nuclear facilities,” says Vice President for Technology, Consulting and Innovation Greg Willetts. “Our solutions minimize human intervention, make waste characterization and handling more cost-efficient, and reduce waste volumes.”
Here are some of the capabilities and solutions we deliver:
Materials Science and Structural Integrity
· Materials Testing in High Temperature Water
· Nuclear Fuel: Fuel Cladding Corrosion; Irradiation Damage Assessment and Testing
· Cracked Brick Neighbourhood Array
· High Temperature Materials Testing and Performance
· Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
· Structural Integrity Assessment: ASME and AFCEN
· Structural Integrity Assessment: R5 and R6 Assessments
· Structural Integrity Independent Assurance
· Finite Element Analysis of Stress
· Computational Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Hydraulics
· Inspection Qualification
· Non-destructive Examination Technology
· Fracture Toughness Materials Qualification Testing
Specialist Consultancy Solutions
· Analytical Radiochemistry: Operating Reactors, Decommissioning Waste, and Fusion
· Novel Chemistry Instrumentation
· Human Factors: Ergonomics, Design and Human Reliability
· Reactor Performance Modelling
· Safety Case Consultancy: Reactor Design, Reactor Operations, and Non-Reactor
· Materials and Equipment Qualification
· Reactor Design Development
· Remote Leak Sealing
Assurance, Technology and Regulation
·Regulatory Support
·Research and Technology for Nuclear Propulsion
·Independent Advice and Assurance
Engineering Development
·Plant Simulation Test Rig Design, Build and Operation
·Robotics Systems Development
·Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments (CRADLE)
Beckermet Engineering and Technology Centre
Amentum’s Engineering and Technology Center in West Cumbria, UK delivers innovative solutions to major decommissioning challenges.
The 1,320 m² high-bay facility in Egremont, one mile from the Sellafield nuclear site, services the growing demand for engineering development expertise to design, build and test new technologies and techniques from concept through to implementation.
With a 30m tall high bay test tower, a six meter deep test pit, 20 and 60 tonne overhead cranes, conferencing facilities and office space, the building is highly adaptable to the needs of clients in the nuclear decommissioning, waste management, new build and defence markets.
It is providing crucial support for projects to hazard reduction at Sellafield and other UK nuclear sites and also provides a hub for collaboration with highly innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.
When we developed new methods for decommissioning highly radioactive former reprocessing cells at Sellafield, we brought together a consortium of academic institutions, large businesses and SMEs, who draw on experiences from the medical, space and military sectors, to complement our expertise in radiology, chemistry, physics, material identification, human factors and mechanical/system/process engineering.
Harwell Irradiation Facility
Amentum operates a specialist Co-60 gamma irradiation facility at Harwell, Oxfordshire, offering a wide range of test capabilities.
This work has developed from the facility’s core business, which is to irradiate samples and components for the nuclear industry and provide world-class consultancy on the effects of radiation.
Clients rely on our knowledge and experience, which has led to international accreditation in the field of irradiation effects in polymers for organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Our staff also play an important part in developing test standards for IEC and also in writing technical documentation, providing lecture courses and participating in coordinated research programmes.
Samples can be irradiated in many environments: in water, at high temperatures, under vacuum, under different gaseous environments, in corrosive liquids and in different combinations. This almost universal gamma radiation capability is not always available elsewhere.
In addition, samples can be monitored during irradiation to continuously measure pressure, temperature, pH, corrosion potentials, other transducer outputs and electronic signals such as camera images.
We help our clients get more from their high-value assets by improving design, increasing output, extending asset life and demonstrating safe operation.
High Temperature Facility
Amentum hosts and manages the UK’s open-access High Temperature Facility (HTF) at its campus in Birchwood Park, Warrington.
It was built and opened in 2016 using UK government funding and focuses on generating high quality mechanical performance data for non-active structural materials used in Generation IV nuclear fission reactors, advanced fission designs including sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR); high temperature gas-cooled reactor (GFR); lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR); supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR); molten salt reactor (MSR) and the very high temperature reactor (VHTR), nuclear fusion reactors and non-nuclear high temperature applications.
The HTF is enabling new understanding of the structural performance of materials, environmental interactions with reactor coolants, and predictive models. The data it generates will underpin the selection, manufacture and performance of advanced materials for future electricity generation technology.
The HTF provides open access to research organisations looking to investigate, develop and advance structural materials technology for future systems applications.
