Projects
Here’s an insight into some of the projects that our stakeholders are currently involved in….
New Build with AMEC
AMEC has a 50 year history of delivering highly complex new build programmes across the entire nuclear cycle. We bring world class techniques and tools to bear, which are currently being used worldwide to deliver programme of work in highly regulated industries. Our independent expertise in old, current and new reactors allows us to support our customers whichever technology they own or are planning to own. We hold unrivalled technical and engineering capability across all disciplines to help our customers bring new plants into operation.
Processing with Urenco
The expansion of our facility in Capenhurst, Cheshire continued during 2007 with infrastructure being built to house two new cascade units – centrifuges which are key to the uranium enrichment process. Over a seven week period spanning November and December 2007, seven “cascade halls” were fully commissioned and brought online, with the remaining cascades running to planned installation. To compliment our increased capacity, we’ve also constructed and licensed new raft storage areas.
Defence with Rolls-Royce
Rolls Royce has brought five reactor designs from concept and design to production and into service. These latest nuclear plants have been fitted to the new Astute class submarines and are designed to operate for the full platform life, eliminating costly reactor refuelling. Advances in reactor design continue with this new generation naval plant. It will eventually power the replacement for Vanguard class submarines that will provide Britain’s nuclear deterrent well into the future. Work is being undertaken to design a new system with improved reactor performance and safety. We have recently established a Civil Nuclear group, making our technology and support services available to civil customers.
Submarines with BAE Systems
BAE Systems Submarines’ Barrow in Furness shipyard has been designing, constructing and commissioning the Royal Navy’s Nuclear Submarines since the 1960’s. Astute, the first of the latest class of submarine, is due undergoing commissioning during 2008. We expect to build seven of these submarines in a programme extending to around 2018. Conceptual design work is already underway for the next class of submarines. Submarines projects are the most complex engineering challenge in or out of this world (the US government puts the space shuttle second). The submarine can stay underwater for months at a time with everything the crew need to live including its own nuclear reactor.