Develop a prototype leak testing solution for nuclear transport packages
The Innovation Exchange (iX) programme is supporting the challenge holder to find innovators who can provide a solution to develop or provide a leak testing solution for nuclear transport packages that is portable, easy to use, reliable, and capable of meeting a range of requirements across a range of package sizes and environments.
Opportunity
Challenge opens
01/12/2025
Challenge closes
02/01/2026
Benefit
Up to £100,000 available for feasibility, prototyping, or demonstration. Opportunity to replace a widely used but problematic industry standard, with potential for adoption across the UK nuclear sector and possibly internationally. Potential for significant commercial impact due to the number of packages and sites requiring leak testing.
Background
Nuclear containers must be tested to ensure they are sealed before they can be transported to any other site or location. Typical testing at present includes pressurising an interspace between two seals incorporated in the package and monitoring the pressure drop to calculate a leak rate. This process involves specialist training to ensure that all the standards are met. An example existing unit at present is taken to the location of the package and put together, tested during setup for leaks from joints and connections before being attached to the package and tested.
The challenge holder is seeking solutions that will result in increased efficiency, reduced operator exposure to radiation, improved staff satisfaction, lower training and maintenance costs, and enhanced reliability and data management.
There are a limited number of suppliers in the market, a lack of innovation, and operational pain points (setup time, breakdowns, and health & safety risks) that drive the need for a new innovative solution. There is also a desire to simplify processes and reduce the need for highly specialised training as well as keeping the system so it can be transported to site.
The challenge is for companies to look at developments from leak testing equipment to make a unit that can be taken to site, set up easily with simple, leak tight connections, perform the leak test and produce a test certificate from an internal electronics and programming package that demonstrates required Standardised Leakage Rate (SLR) has been met.
The challenge holder is interested in existing equipment that can be adapted to their particular application or a new design where a prototype could be built and ready for testing within a year. The equipment should be easily transported to sites and around site, an existing example of unit is hand portable as a single unit but other solutions including separate components (e.g. separate pumps) will be considered. The challenge holder also understands that any software will be sector specific and would need a collaborative approach in some cases.
There may be help available for the right equipment to bring up to nuclear standards if needed.