Sellafield Ltd stores fuel-bearing radioactive waste in Self Shielded Boxes (SSBs), which may require safe interim storage for several decades. SSBs have filters that enable gas exchange while containing radioactive particles.
This challenge aims to identify an in-situ solution to measure or monitor filter integrity, ideally without removing filters from the SSBs. A successful solution could reduce the need to move SSBs, replace filters unnecessarily or break containment, while improving understanding of filter performance. This could deliver significant safety, cost and time savings and increase regulatory and stakeholder confidence. Register to find out more.
Challenge Aims
Sellafield Ltd needs to provide confidence that SSB filters are functioning as a suitable barrier to prevent the escape of radioactive particles. This requires the ability to measure the Decontamination Factor (DF) being provided by the primary filters or other methods that provide assurance with regard to the integrity of the primary filter, indicating that the filters original DF is being maintained.
The aim of this challenge is to identify a solution that allows in-situ measurement of the DF, either by facilitating the deployment of Dispersed Oil Particulate (DOP) or some other method. Partial solutions that address either the analysis or deployment aspects of this challenge are welcomed. See the Functional Requirements section in the challenge statement for a more detailed description of the meaning of in-situ for this particular challenge scope.
A solution is needed to prove that the filters are providing a >99.9% efficiency (DF of 1,000 or more) for removing radioactive particles from air exiting the SSBs. This must be done without breaking containment on SSBs.
Sellafield Ltd is seeking a solution ideally within the next year or two. There is also a 5-year window of opportunity to gather data on the primary filters of SSB that contain zeolite; these are less radioactive than the target population of SSBs for this challenge.
Find Out More
Please download the challenge statement for full details of this opportunity.
An interactive webinar will take place at 10am (GMT+1) on Tuesday 13th October 2026 where delegates will have the chance to hear directly from the challenge owners and ask any questions. Register here for free.
The deadline for applications for this challenge is 3pm (GMT) on Thursday 29th October 2026.
