Orion ENC, a nuclear technology-based engineering company, announced on September 18 that it has successfully developed a core nuclear power plant verification facility in collaboration with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (hereafter KHNP).
The two companies jointly developed the "Primary System Weld Sampling Robot (Boat Sampling Robot)" for nuclear power plants through a research and development project aimed at fostering growth for small and medium-sized enterprises. This joint development took approximately 20 months and marks the first time that a challenge, which even advanced overseas companies have failed to overcome, has been achieved with domestic technology.
The boat sampling robot is a specialized device designed to verify the safety of welds in the primary system during nuclear power plant preventive maintenance. The primary system, which includes the reactor, has a complex structure and a highly radioactive underwater environment, making direct human access difficult. Since the 1980s, global nuclear power companies, including Westinghouse, have attempted to use unmanned robots to collect metal samples, but these attempts have failed.
The newly developed robot can operate precisely even on acute-angled structures of less than 30 degrees in underwater environments, enabling it to collect weld metal samples of at least 15 millimeters (mm) in size. In addition, it can be automatically retrieved from a safety zone more than 20 meters (m) away from the reactor, ensuring both precision and radiation safety.
A representative from Orion ENC stated, "This world-first achievement once again demonstrates the stature of Korean nuclear technology," and added, "We will continue to accelerate research and development to further enhance nuclear safety and technological independence."
The representative further said, "As this is considered a rare case in the nuclear power industry, we aim to take the lead in the global nuclear verification facility market, which is estimated to be worth about 1 trillion won."
Meanwhile, on July 25, Lee Unjang, CEO of Orion ENC, signed a contract to acquire management rights of Adbiotech. At the upcoming extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on September 30, Adbiotech plans to add new business objectives to expand its operations, including overseas nuclear power plant exports and business development, nuclear power plant construction feasibility and environmental impact assessments, and the development, design, and manufacturing of small modular reactors.
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