Laser Applications in the Nuclear Industry

Over the past two decades, AILU has supported the adoption of industrial laser technology by a wide range of industry sectors. Laser cutting, welding, and surfacing systems are now common proven systems in industry; with organisations adopting laser technology because of its ability to perform automated, high quality and high throughput processes often in remote difficult to access high hazard locations.

Industrial lasers are not the first technology that come to mind when you think of the nuclear sector. However, there are selected examples of industrial laser applications in the nuclear sector for several decades - principally, for the fabrication and sealing of containers. With the developments in laser technologies over the past decade, and the significant challenges faced by nuclear decommissioning, there are a number of emerging opportunities for the nuclear sector to leverage the benefits of this technology.

This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshop will give an overview of laser technology in the nuclear sector, with a focus on a range of emerging applications; including, size reduction, decontamination and fabrication applicable to manufacturing, maintenance and decommissioning processes.

Jon Blackburn, TWI, workshop chair.