Design of a proof-of-concept tie-rod removal tool for decommissioning a slowpoke-2 reactor

As part of the decommissioning of a SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear research reactor, structural support tie-rods must be removed to open and dismantle the reactor assembly. Tie-rod removal is typically done manually by a technician using a tedious and time consuming process with awkward physical positioning to reach requisite components.Alternate processes are being explored in this work to improve human performance factors and lower decommissioning costs by significantly reducing the time required. This paper presents a proof-of-concept tie-rod removal tool developed by undergraduate students for their Capstone project at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Nuclear Fuels and Materials Group, with in-kind assistance provided by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.