Hotlab
Highlight - Transfer of the KC-T12/4
During the type testing for the AGT11, PB250 compacted waste containers were conditioned. In addition, dose rate measurements of the waste packages, gamma scanning, documentation, sealing in contamination-free ZB264 overpacks, loading of the containers into a KC-T12, and transfer of the KC-T12 to the BZL were carried out.
Transmutex at PSI Hotlab
Transmutex produces design and software for an accelerator-driven reactor able to transmute long-lived transuranic nuclides and fission products from the classic Uranium cycle for power production.
Benefits such as Nuclear waste volume reductions above a factor of 6 and HAW lifetime reductions to << 1000 years will be attained.
Breeding U-233 in Th fuel in the reactor integrates Transmutex’s design with existing commercial PHWR and LWR in providing fuel and fissionable material for their continued operation.
At PSI hotlab, Transmutex develops the manufacturing of porous metal pellets aiming to produce experimental Th pellets for further investigation utilizing PSI’s and hotlabs’ research capabilities. The new design will unify the advantages of metallic fuel such as high fissile density, ease of fabrication, and more while mitigating classic issues of compact metallic fuel related to the buildup of fission gas.
Successfully produced inactive analogues are illustrating the prove of concept of the design.
Successful preparation for microstructure representation in Zircaloy-4 using light microscopy
Successful preparation for microstructure representation in Zircaloy-4 using light microscopy
Quality assured – successful ISO 9001 re-certification
Quality is no coincidence, but the result of consistent work - our company has once again passed the ISO 9001 recertification audit with flying colours!
Anniversary Celebration: 60 Years of the hotlab
For 60 years, the Swiss Hotlab has been a symbol of cutting-edge research and technological innovation. On September 26, 2024, this remarkable anniversary was celebrated with a ceremonial event in Villigen.
Confirmed quality – Successful ISO 9001 recertification
Quality is our commitment – and the successful ISO 9001 recertification proves that we live up to it!
New operational licence
On 21st of February 2019 the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) issued the new operational licence for the PSI Hotlab facility
ISO 9001 Recertification passed – Quality at the highest level
Once again this year, our quality management system has been audited – successfully! Our ISO 9001 certification remains in place.
New Focused Ion Beam (FIB) in the Hot Laboratory
The implementation of Focused Ion Beam instruments in material research laboratories during the last decade has not only strongly improved the preparation of very thin specimens for the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), in particular at interfaces, but also led to the development of new analysis methods inside the instrument itself. It became a powerful instrument for the analyses of highly radioactive materials, because it allows for the production and analysis of very small specimens that can be then analyzed with very sensitive detectors without strong interference from the radiation field of the specimen itself.
Refurbishment of HZ6
The hot cell 6 is dedicated to the storage and conditioning of high level solid waste. This cell has been completely refurbished in the period 2015 – 2017. This include the complete dismantling and conditioning of the highly fuel contaminated old infrastructure, the cleaning of the cell and the installation and test of the new improved infrastructure.