DESIGN ¦ DEVELOP ¦ DELIVER DESIGN ¦ DEVELOP ¦ DELIVER

INCREASING SAFETY IN A HIGH SECURITY SITE ANSTO conducts some of Australia’s most important national scientific research and operates much of Australia’s landmark and national infrastructure, including one of the world’s most modern nuclear research reactors, OPAL.

ANSTO, which also produces nuclear medicine vital to the Australian health industry and undertakes research critical to many other industries, is now using a new Swisslog automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

The Federal Government campus in Lucas Heights, NSW, about 40km south of the Sydney CBD, will utilise Swisslog’s advanced technology to safely move 200-litre drums of low-level contact handled radioactive waste. The waste will be transported through a combination of Swisslog’s S12 Vectura crane, conveyors, pallets and racking.

SAFETY A PRIORITY

The ASRS safely stores over 900 individual pallet locations, and the low-weight mast design deploys Swisslog’s GreenLog concept to apply regenerative power and deliver industry-leading efficiency. The intuitive SynQ software retrieves drums to an ergonomic pallet

CASE STUDY

ANSTO AUSTRALIA

CASE STUDY | ANSTO

Barrels being moved to the inspection station

inspection station, which allows operators to safely monitor and track every unit. The Vectura crane was thoroughly tested at Swisslog’s manufacturing facility before being shipped to Sydney in modules. This meant that the warehouse roof didn’t need to be removed and the Swisslog team was able to quickly and safely assemble the crane with minimal impact to ANSTO’s existing operations.

The automation solution has eliminated manual handling and risk at the warehouse and provided an inspection table where a turntable is used to safely and easily observe all barrels. Once examined, they proceed to be stored within the ASRS. Swisslog’s SynQ software coordinates the storage of the barrels within the ASRS and determines their optimal positioning to limit human exposure.

“ANSTO is proud to be a world leader in science, ingenuity and sustainability. We use nuclear science and technology to provide real benefits locally and on an international scale."

Paula Berghofer

General Manager, Waste

Management Services, ANSTO

2 DESIGN ¦ DEVELOP ¦ DELIVER CASE STUDY | ANSTO

Safely moving low-level contact handled radioactive waste

Swisslog Head of Sales and Consulting, Sean Ryan, says, the technology solution for ANSTO has a number of additional safety benefits, specifically designed for this unique application. “We included a drum inspection station, from which ANSTO will continue to accurately monitor drum characteristics. The entire system provides end-to-end traceabili-ty to optimize safety, tracking and efficiency."

In addition to safety benefits, the new ASRS optimised use of available space by stacking pallets in a compact grid-like racking area, to make the best use of the available footprint of the site.

ANSTO General Manager, Waste Management Services, Paula Berghofer, says that in order to optimise safety and ensure the responsib-le, traceable management of radioactive was-te at the facility, “the drums will be inspected periodically, and radiation levels will continue to be monitored. These drums will be housed in the ASRS and then will be processed through a super-compactor into over packs. It is intended that they would eventually be destined for Australia’s National Radioac-tive Waste Management Facility once it is established.”

ANSTO manages radioactive waste safely and in accordance with all standards set by several regulators including the independent nuclear regulator, ARPANSA.

3D visualisation of the automation in real time

A CUSTOMISED SOLUTION

ANSTO partnered with Swisslog to develop an automated solution that would provide a seamless interface to ANSTO’s HOST system for reporting and ASRS zoning; ensuring barrels are placed in optimal positions to limit human exposure. The solution has im-proved operational efficiencies and provided timestamp tracking; for the monitoring of radiation levels.

Ryan explains that “by utilising our SynQ software, ANSTO has the added advantage of our powerful Single Point of Control (SPOC) technology that provides a 3D visu-alisation of the automation in real time to deliver complete visibility. The automation in place has been locally designed, deployed and supported by our experienced team.”

Berghofer adds, “ANSTO collaborated with Swisslog to locally engineer a niche solu-tion that would improve the tracking and tracing of our drums and create a reliable solution that could withstand the impact of radioactivity on electronics whilst increa-sing our storage capacity.”

“Partnering with Swisslog was a natural move due to their vast knowledge and experience both locally and internationally and their ability to tailor the solution to meet our needs. This automation has created end-to-end traceability, is seamlessly integrated with our HOST system and has improved overall warehouse productivity."

Paula Berghofer

General Manager, Waste

Management Services, ANSTO

BENEFITS

▪End-to-end zone traceability

▪Track-and-trace of all units

▪Seamless integration with HOST system

▪Improved safety

▪3D visualizer (SPOC)

▪ Ergonomic Pallet Inspection Station

▪Backed by Swisslog’s intelligent SynQ software

SWISSLOG SERVICES

▪Overall integration – design, engineering and realization

▪Project Management

▪Training

▪Supported by a local field service team and backed by global support

Swisslogwww.swisslog.com

FACTS AND FIGURES

S12 Vectura Crane 1

Pallet Locations Over 900

ProMove Conveyor 24m

Storage & Material Handling

Over 900 individual pallet locations

Swisslog’s SynQ software

WMS & CONTROLS

Scan me to watch this automation in action