Institution news
For further details about this year's Nuclear Lifting 2023 seminar, please visit the event website.
Please can you briefly explain your current role and involvement in Nuclear Lifting
Imran Moolla (IM): As a Fuel Route Systems Engineer at EDF Energy, I am responsible for maintaining and producing safety cases for irradiated fuel handling and storage operations at our nuclear power stations. Examples of nuclear lifting equipment that I work on include the Fuelling Machine used to refuel our reactors; Element Reception Tubes used to manipulate individual irradiated fuel elements in the fuel storage ponds; cranes that handle irradiated fuel transport flasks and transporters used for dry fuel storage systems. In addition to safety cases, my role has a strong focus on plant engineering. I am the Technical Lead for a number of refurbishment, spares and optimisation projects that EDF Energy is delivering as it prepares to defuel its sites following the end of power generation.
What is the number one challenge facing lifting engineers working in nuclear environments at the moment?
IM: For EDF Energy, a major challenge facing lifting engineers is maintaining safe and reliable operation of cranes operating beyond their design life. Most of our power stations have been operating for over 30 years; much of the lifting equipment for nuclear fuel was designed in the 1970s and 1980s. As the plant approaches the end of its intended operating life, managing aging and obsolescence related risks is becoming increasingly challenging, requiring a proactive rather than a reactive approach.
Where do you see there being significant developments in lifting technologies over the next 5 years?
IM: I see there being developments in the application of condition-based monitoring with the use of real-time data to monitor asset condition and usage. Remote access to real-time data is extremely advantageous in nuclear applications where access to cranes may be limited due to factors such as radiation and working at height. Remote performance monitoring allows operators to detect, diagnose and address faults in a timely manner before failure. It also provides scope for maintenance to be based on actual plant condition rather than on a predetermined time schedule. This means less time spent on maintenance and repairs.
What can engineers expect from your presentation at the event?
IM: Attendees can expect to get an insight into what ‘defueling’ means to EDF Energy. As the company prepares to safely shutdown its reactors nearing the end of their operating life, the measure of future output will be the number of irradiated fuel transport flasks despatched from site rather than the number of Megawatts of electricity generated. The defueling phase will require the Fuel Route to work harder and more efficiently towards the end of its design life. My presentation will share some of the challenges relating to nuclear lifting faced through the modifications being made in preparation for end of life defueling.
What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Nuclear Lifting 2022?
IM: I am looking forward to hearing about recent projects and learning from the experiences of others in the field of nuclear lifting. I am really looking forward to meeting other professionals working in the industry and building networks – something that has been particularly challenging over the past few years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Why is it important for engineers to join this event?
IM:I think it is vitally important to learn about the latest technologies, techniques and best practices from within the sector. The seminar provides an opportunity for Engineering Professionals to take benefit from the latest cases studies and challenges faced by others in the niche field of nuclear lifting.