Ansaldo Nuclear has developed a robot for extracting radioactive waste. Credit: Ansaldo Nuclear.

UK-based engineering consultant Ansaldo Nuclear has developed a robot to extract radioactive waste from storage locations at the Caorso nuclear power plant, which is situated in Italy.

The company is responsible for the treatment and conditioning of nearly 860 tonnes of radioactive ion exchange resins and sludges. The waste is present in two temporary storage facilities at Caorso.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

For executing this work, the company developed the Machine Retrieval System (MRS) robot for retrieval, verification, sealing and packing the radioactive drums.

The robot can be controlled remotely and is equipped with a double operating system. It has the capacity to recover 2,000 drums of radioactive waste.

Ansaldo Nuclear project engineer and bid technical manager Francesca Maggini said: “The extent of the logistical challenge presented by this phase of the Caorso decommissioning project cannot be underestimated.

“The unique nature of nuclear decommissioning means it is important to face each decommissioning project as an entirely new challenge.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“You cannot simply repeat the successes of the past – you must pioneer and develop bespoke solutions in order to see the best results. Through effective innovation and installation, we have enabled the decommissioning of Caorso to continue.

“Ansaldo Nuclear has been involved with the decommissioning of Caorso since 2000, and we’re proud to remain on this substantial project today.”

In 2015, Società Gestione Impianti Nucleari (Sogin) awarded the contract to Ansaldo Nuclear for the retrieval, transport, treatment and conditioning of the spent resins and sludges.

As part of the contract, Ansaldo will transport the drums containing Caorso’s radioactive waste to the JAVYS waste storage facility.

Located at Jaslovské Bohunice in Slovakia, the facility will stabilise the radioactive waste through incineration and then finally conditioned.