Computers put nuclear welds on record

With some nuclear power plants reaching the end of their service life, techniques for dismantling them are being developed. At the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Springfields laboratory, new cutting and welding processes are being developed and evaluated. A computer based on-line monitoring system which will provide evidence of quality assurance for welding operations is described. Resistance welding of fuel element assemblies is explained and other automated welding processes that have been used for reactor components are mentioned. Brazing has also been used for remote work in reactors and work done by Springfields on the in-situ repair of evaporated tubes in the heat exchangers at the Prototype Fast Reactor at Dounreay is described. Specialized cutting techniques suitable for use in reactor decommissioning are also mentioned. (U.K.)