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Non-active Rig Hall
NNL offers a range of services via integrated non-radioactive research and development laboratories. More details of our services can be found here.
Central Laboratory, Sellafield
- Modules consisting of a fume hood and workbench
- Carry out physics, chemistry and materials science based activities
- Closely integrated with our active laboratories
Preston Laboratory, Lancashire
- Chemistry laboratory
- Chemistry engineering rig hall
- Fluorine chemistry facilitiy
- Microscopy laboratory incorporating an environmental scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersal x-ray microscope, a secondary ion mass spectrometer, a laser confocal microscope and an atomic force microscope
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Radioactive Elements
NNL offers a range of services via integrated non-radioactive research and development laboratories. More details of our services can be found here.
Preston Laboratory, Lancashire
- Chemistry laboratory
- Chemistry engineering rig hall
- Fluorine chemistry facilitiy
- Microscopy laboratory incorporating an environmental scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersal x-ray microscope, a secondary ion mass spectrometer, a laser confocal microscope and an atomic force microscope
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Uranium Active Facilities
NNL's main uranium active research facility is located at Preston. This purpose-built laboratory provides technical support and business services for customers requiring uranium active research and development work.
The two key areas are Uranium Active Chemistry and Uranium Active Oxide Powder.
Uranium Active Chemistry facilities and services include:
- R&D chemistry laboratories
- Process instrumentation
- Rig development hall
- 10-bay pilot plant with 10 tonne crane
- Radiometrics counting laboratory
- Low level waste separations
- Intermediate level waste and physical and radiochemical characterisation laboratory
Uranium Active Oxide Power Facilities and services include:
- Novel fuel fabrication process development
- Powder processing laboratories
- Total enclosures for bulk uranic work
- Pellet pressing facilities
- Sintering furnaces
- Powder and pellet QA testing laboratory
- Engineering development of uranium active rigs
- Large rig hall
NNL also has active laboratories as part of our Central Laboratory at Sellafield.
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Non-active R&D laboratories
NNL offers a range of services via integrated non-radioactive research and development laboratories.
Central Laboratory, Sellafield
- Modules consisting of a fume hood and workbench
- carry out physics, chemistry and materials science based activities
- Closely integrated with our active laboratories
Preston Laboratory, Lancashire
- Chemistry laboratory
- Chemistry engineering rig hall
- Fluorine chemistry facilitiy
- Microscopy laboratory incorporating an environmental scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersal x-ray microscope, a secondary ion mass spectrometer, a laser confocal microscope and an atomic force microscope
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Handling and Inspection
Located on the Windscale nuclear licensed site at Sellafield, NNL's Windscale Laboratory is a unique facility able to offer unrivalled flexibility in provision of essential handling and inspection services to customers, including:
- Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) of nuclear fuel and irradiated materials
- Radioactive Waste Processing and Management
- Handling and Management of Radioactive Sealed Sources
- Material Analysis
- Mechanical Testing
The Windscale Laboratory is used for non-destructive and destructive examination of reactor fuel and irradiated materials. The Laboratory also has facilities dedicated to the processing and management of radioactive waste and sealed sources.
The Laboratory comprises of:
- 13 shielded cells ("caves") with typical dimensions of 11m wide, 2.5m deep and 4m tall
- Active Corridor linking all cells allowing movement of materials
- Concrete shielding (beta/gamma levels)
- Service Cranes able to transport flasks up to 60te
Workington
Workington
National Nuclear Laboratory
Workington Laboratory
Havelock Road
Derwent Howe
Workington
Cumbria
CA14 3YQ
Telephone: 01900 872926
NNL's Workington laboratory provides a dedicated facility for non-radioactive test rig activities. We offer:
- Technical assessment
- Solution proposition
- Design, manufacture and build of test rigs
- Rig testing
- Operator training
- Design and development for remote operations
- 3D modelling and simulation
Sellafield
Sellafield
National Nuclear Laboratory
Central Laboratory
Sellafield
Seascale
Cumbria
CA20 1PG
Telephone: 019467 79000
Activities at Sellafield include:
- Nuclear Science
- Waste and Residue Management
- Plant Process Support
- Homeland Security and Non-proliferation
- Specialist Analytical Services
Preston
Preston
National Nuclear Laboratory
Preston Laboratory (A709)
Springfields
Salwick
Preston
Lancashire
PR4 0XJ
Telephone: 01772 762000
Activities at Springfields include:
- Nuclear physics and advanced reactors
- Fuel Design and Manufacture
- Specialist Analytical Services
- Process Chemistry
NNL’s activities in its leased facilities at Springfields (Preston Lab) and Sellafield (Central Lab and Windscale Lab) are operated under Command & Control regimes by Springfields Fuels Ltd and Sellafield Ltd respectively. Activities carried out under those regimes are constrained by the relevant Environmental Permits and Nuclear Site Licences held by Springfields Fuels Ltd and Sellafield Ltd.
Warrington
Warrington
National Nuclear Laboratory
5th Floor
Chadwick House
Warrington Road
Birchwood Park
Warrington
WA3 6AE
Telephone: 01925 289800
Activities at Risley include:
- Modelling and simulation
- Engineering
- Project Management
- Corporate Functions
- Environment
Stonehouse
Stonehouse
National Nuclear Laboratory
102B, Stonehouse Park
Sperry Way
Stonehouse
Gloucestershire
GL10 3UT
Telephone: 01453 853600 or 01925 289800
Our activities at Stonehouse include:
- Station Chemistry and Corrosion
- Graphite Technology
Culham
Culham
Extensive analysis is carried out at our offices at Culham.
NNL,
Building D5, First Floor
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 3DB
Telephone: 07725 141395
Activities carried out at Culham include:
- Post Irradiation Examination Analysis
- Analysis of Fuel and Graphite
- Materials Evaluation and Assessment
- Radiation Chemistry
Our Facilities
NNL is committed to producing better, cheaper and faster technology to support the nuclear industry.
We have everything in place to help shape the UK's nuclear future, including some truly world-class facilities. Our all-round capability means we provide technology services across the entire nuclear fuel cycle. Meaning our facilities can deliver everything from fuel manufacturing and power generation, to treatment of used fuel and decommissioning.
Quite simply, our range of facilities and laboratories is second to none. You'll find us at various different locations around the UK. Where we also provide nuclear science and engineering education, act as advisor to Government and collaborate on an international scale with a wide range of leading universities. NNL is perfectly placed to provide you with the all-round technical capacity and flexibility you need. Now and into the future.
To find out more about our facilities, click on one of our location links or download our Facilities Overview PDF.
Central Laboratory
The Central Laboratory is at the core of NNL. When fully commissioned, the Laboratory has world-class potential to make a very significant contribution to global nuclear research and development.
Note: NNL’s activities in its leased facilities at Springfields (Preston Lab) and Sellafield (Central Lab and Windscale Lab) are operated under Command & Control regimes by Springfields Fuels Ltd and Sellafield Ltd respectively. Activities carried out under those regimes are constrained by the relevant Environmental Permits and Nuclear Site Licences held by Springfields Fuels Ltd and Sellafield Ltd.