Equipment Prototype and Test Laboratory

The equipment prototype and test lab at DEI is a large, open high-bay area containing vibration test equipment, large and small water tanks for ultrasonic and chemical testing, mockups of nuclear equipment such as steam generators and fuel assemblies, as well as pumping, filtration, heating, and cooling equipment to support laboratory testing.  The equipment setup in this lab is continuously changing to support our clients' needs.  Work in the lab includes proof-of-concept and final qualification testing for new chemical and mechanical cleaning processes, testing to validate and fine-tune mathematical or mechanical models, detailed qualification testing of new equipment or processes, prototyping of new equipment or devices, and final assembly of DEI-designed equipment.  We often use finite element analysis (FEA) models to validate laboratory test results and to predict the actual performance of full-scale components based on mockup test results.  Some of the recent projects completed or in progress in this lab include:

Development, qualification, and fabrication of advanced ultrasonic nuclear fuel cleaning systems
Development and qualification of remotely deployed cleaning systems for nuclear steam generators
Fabrication and operation of a large electrical generator stator cooling water test loop
Test and prototype of high-capacity liquid degassing systems
Fabrication of a pilot plant for biological degradation of organic wastes