RADWIPES - Performance and Cleaning Efficacy

RADWIPES is the brand name of a cleaning product developed by MDCO Ltd. RADWIPES have been developed specifically for radiation decontamination activities associated with the decommissioning cleanup operations of legacy buildings on UK nuclear licensed sites, many of which, fall under the umbrella of the N.D.A. - Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

The initial product was developed in collaboration with Sellafield Sites Limited, in order to assist with their efforts to reduce operator exposure to ionising radiation, reduce the amount of clean up waste for processing, whist also reducing the expense of processing this generated radioactive waste. This of course, is a major cost burden for both the nuclear sites and the British tax payer.

The purpose of this project is to analyse and test new innovations of this product in terms of new formulations of the base fluid, new innovative microfibre fabrics and also, new recyclable packaging. This innovative new packaging is being developed to enhance safety on site and have elements of its composition reclaimed under recycling conditions.

These products are used in highly sensitive, radioactive conditions and therefore, in order to analyse and test these new materials and formulations correctly, the project will have to simulate the radioactive conditions similar to those found on nuclear sites. These conditions will replicate varying degrees of radioactive contamination on a wide variety of surfaces found on nuclear sites i.e. stainless steel, ferrous metals, plastic, concrete, rubber, wood, brickwork amongst other materials found on site. The data produced will be invaluable in determining new material and product development for the nuclear industry.

The second part of the project will focus on the analysis of the composition of these new materials to ensure they contain no elements which would cause any issues with the material waste/effluent routes on site.

MDCO Ltd will then have the necessary data to further develop new formulations of the base fluid used in the wipes and also, in line with the company Sustainability and Environmental Policies, look to use raw materials and fabrics which are recyclable/biodegradable.

This project will give MDCO the scientific and metrological analysis required to develop their 'Next Generation' of RADWIPES which will enable them to promote and supply these products into all UK licensed nuclear sites.

Apart from the savings to the British tax payer, reducing the volume of nuclear waste for processing is a huge benefit to our environment.