RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments)
 RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) | |
| Abbreviation | RACE |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2014 |
| Type | Research association/institute |
| Legal status | Private company |
| Purpose | Remote handling applications |
| Location |
|
Region served | Worldwide |
Parent organization | UKAEA |
| Affiliations | The Welding Institute, National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom) |
In 2014 it was announced that UKAEA [1] at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) would create a new centre for robotics development. This lead to the creation of RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) as part of the UK Government's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategy (RAS) this is one of the initiatives that is supporting development and growth in remote handling, pacing the way for the UK to be a world leader in this area. RACE uses the broad range of expertise from UKAEA and CCFE's past experience in remote handling used on JET (Joint European Torus). RACE will be UKAEA's remote handling expertise organisation.
When fully operational, RACE will conduct R&D into remote applications and will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities, remote handling equipment and expertise to design, implement, train and operate complete solutions.
The £15 million Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) centre researches robotics for use in fields such as nuclear operation and decommissioning, deep-sea oil and gas extraction and intelligent mobility.[2]
History
Created in 2014, RACE is the new branded name for the CCFE remote handling unit, this unit has been around since the 90's supporting JET. Now RACE uses all the gained knowledge in Remote Handling (also known as Telerobotics), from more than 30,000 hours of unique and diverse operations in the vessel of JET. Remote operations in-vessel at JET have included, cutting, welding, bolting and handling of approximately 7000 components in the change of all the tiles in JET to the ITER like wall.
Directors
- 2014–present: Dr Rob Buckingham
Current activities
Supporting the Remote Handling of JET
JET is the world’s largest nuclear fusion experiment on the energy producing process which takes place in the sun. Over time, high-energy neutrons render some components and support structures of the reactor radioactive. This was most server after the first DT (Deuterium/Tritium) experiments on JET in 1997. Furthermore many plasma facing tiles are covered in beryllium, which, if breathed in as dust, poses a further hazard to anyone working inside the reactor. Therefore, JET has always placed great emphasis on its Remote Handling, to ensure a maximum of tasks can be carried out fully remotely. This has always relied on the MASCOT telemanipulator system as the main workhorse for all remote handling activities. This remote handling has historicaly been done by CCFE's RH group, now RACE, RACE will continue supporting JET operating the Mascot system.
The JET machine is a complex device where the detailed configuration changes as the physics experimental requirements dictate. The Remote Handling system is required to fulfil two functions: Repair of any system failure stops the experiment Modification of torus components for new experiments
Experience shows that Remote Handling interventions achieve higher precision and introduce less impurities than sending men inside the torus as they did in the past.
Development for ITER
RACE’s first significant contract is with an Assystem-led consortium developing remote handling technology for the ITER international fusion experiment in Cadarache, France. RACE will support design, development, testing and operation of remote maintenance / robotic equipment for one of ITER’s key components – the ‘divertor’ exhaust system that ejects waste from the reactor.[1]
Developing the Remote Handling strategies for DEMO
DEMO is the conceptual demonstration fusion power plant using all of the knowledge gained in nuclear fusion to create a viable system. One of the key areas identified to make fusion viable is the time and cost associated with maintenance of the reactor.
References
- 1 2 UK Government. "RACE open for business".
- ↑ "R&D centre to seek 200 engineers". www.imeche.org. Retrieved 2016-02-02.