Cold Cutting Facility Design
Project Overview
PDL supported Cyclife EDF in the development of a new radioactive waste size reduction facility extension, providing multi-disciplinary engineering design services throughout the project lifecycle. Working within a structured gated design process, PDL progressed the facility from requirements capture and concept development through to detailed design, ensuring that operational, safety and regulatory requirements were fully integrated into the final solution.
Our Solution
Our engineers deployed a comprehensive suite of simulation tools, including ANSYS Mechanical for structural analysis and ANSYS Fluent for thermal-fluid interaction. We developed a detailed 3D model of the component, applying realistic boundary conditions and material properties. Key aspects of our solution included:
Material Characterization : Incorporating advanced material models to accurately represent behavior under irradiation and high temperatures
Topology Optimization : Identifying optimal material distribution to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Thermal-Structural Coupling : Simulating the interaction between temperature fields and structural deformation.
Fatigue Life Prediction : Performing high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue analysis to predict component lifespan.
PDL successfully delivered the engineering design package for the facility extension, supporting the client's radioactive waste management and decommissioning objectives. The project demonstrated PDL's ability to combine design assurance, process development and advanced engineering analysis to deliver practical, compliant and operationally effective solutions in the nuclear sector.
Client: Cyclife EDF
Sector: Nuclear
Service Provided: Facility Design, Design Assurance
Challenge: Development of a compliant radioactive waste size reduction facility extension
Outcome: Facility design supporting safe and efficient waste processing
