Metal Melting/Casting Test Rig

The design, build, and commission of a metal melting furnace for the use of experimental testing and research.

Aims of the research are to test metal melting, separation, volume reduction, and radiological contamination and the furnace purchased should allow such investigations to occur, while also aiding in the advancement of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) of the process.

The metal melting furnace should be able to heat to a temperature of 1,750°C. The rig (for purposes here called 'Rig 1') should have a capacity of 200 - 500 milliliters melt volume with a footprint of less than 3m x 3m x 3m and able to handle radioactive materials with a tritium content <1MBq/g and other beta/gamma <12KBq/g. This rig would be housed in a radiologically controlled area on-site at UKAEA Culham