British Nuclear Fuels Plc

Cmb Foodcan Public Limited Company

William M Steen

Lin Li

Peter J Modern

William O'Neill

Qi Ning

David J Brookfield

Martin R Sparkes

A method for the removal of embedded contamination from a metallic surface in which a laser beam is directed on to the contaminated surface. The laser beam has sufficient power density to cause direct ejection of laser-generated melt pool liquid from the metallic surface thereby removing a metallic surface layer containing the embedded contamination. Means are provided for the collection of laser ejected material in order to prevent recontamination of the metallic surface or contamination of previously uncontaminated surfaces.

Radioactive decontamination

Determination of the surface properties of an object

In a method of detecting the spatial position of a laser beam relative to a body locatable in the path of the laser beam by detecting an acoustic signal produced by the beam in the body, wherein the laser beam carries a power modulation signal and the body has a plurality of acoustic sensors for detecting the acoustic signal produced in the body by the laser beam, the method includes detecting in the outputs of the acoustic sensors signals corresponding to the power modulation of the incident laser beam and detecting any difference in phase between the detected signals. A processor may be provided for processing the outputs of the acoustic sensors, the processor including a sensor for sensing in the respective outputs signals corresponding to the power modulation of the output beam of the laser and a phase sensitive detector for detecting differences in phase between the detected signals. There may be at least three acoustic sensors whereby the spatial position of the laser beam may be detected in two dimensions.

Apparatus and a method for detecting the position of a laser beam

A method of treating a concrete or other non-metallic surface contaminated with embedded radionuclides to reduce the total level of radioactivity in a concrete or other hydraulically bonded material body is described. The method comprises the steps of producing relative mutual movement between the surface to be removed and a laser heat source such that a layer adjacent the surface is caused to be detached from said concrete body. The surface may be detached as a vapour, in flakes or as a sheet.

Method of treating a surface

Method of heat treating a radioactive surface

Apparatus and method for monitoring laser materials processing, such as laser welding and laser drilling, wherein an indication of the quality of the processing is obtained by monitoring the plasma generated spaced charge distribution near the melt pool. A metal electrode, or electrodes, is disposed near the melt pool but not in contact with the workpiece, nor necessarily in contact with the hot plasma. The electric charge distribution (one dimensional or multi-dimensional) is monitored between the electrode or electrodes and the workpiece or between the electrodes themselves. The existing laser processing nozzle (insulated from the workpiece) can be used for this purpose, multi-probes such as a quadrant nozzle, can identify the focused laser beam position in real time.

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Caldy, United Kingdom

William M Steen