Non-destructive testing methods at Windscale Laboratory locating failures in AGR fuel

The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory operates the Windscale Laboratory - an extensive facility, of international significance, within which Post Irradiation Evaluation (PIE) of a range of fissile and non-fissile materials is carried out. The Windscale Laboratory is located on the Sellafield nuclear campus, and comprises thirteen, separate, heavily shielded cell lines (referred to at Windscale as caves). Each cave provides up to five individual workstations. Each workstation is comprised of a zinc bromide/lead glass window with remote manipulators — resulting in a facility with circa 50 shielded windows and 100 remote manipulators. The caves typically handle several hundred fuel pins/rods each year