Radwaste Management With DefenseTech Laser Cleaning
Unlike other forms of thermal electricity generation, all waste from nuclear power plants is regulated and contained. Radwaste management is critical due to a complex interplay of environmental, safety, economic, and logistical challenges associated with radioactive materials and the increasing volume of nuclear decommissioning activities. Yet common cleaning methods at nuclear reactors are often inefficient due to significant drawbacks, primarily involving the spread of contamination.
Fonon Technologies offers a different solution – advanced laser technology with demonstrated effectiveness in removing contamination from nuclear sites.
Main Risk in Nuclear Power Generation
The use of nuclear power as a source of energy continues to raise debate today. A very small amount of nuclear fuel produces a very large amount of energy – plus a small amount of waste. But this waste is radioactive.
Indeed, unlike coal-burning power plants, nuclear fission does not produce soot and carbon dioxide – but the mining, processing, and use of nuclear fuel generate radioactive wastes that are difficult to handle. Radioactive particles accumulate on components and infrastructure over long-term service as loose contaminated layers and fixed oxide layers on surfaces.
Exposure to radwaste carries significant risks. Radioactive elements can penetrate and damage living matter, potentially causing damage to human health and long-term harm to the environment. This waste must be securely stored in specialized facilities over decades or even centuries for radioactive decay.
Ongoing concerns center on the risk of radwaste leakage – should containment fail, the resulting spillage could pose serious environmental and public health hazards.
Maintenance of nuclear power plants in operation and the decommissioning of assets 30-40 years later for safety purposes necessitate adequate radwaste management measures. As of 2023, 22 commercial nuclear reactors were in various stages of decommissioning in the United States. Among 94 reactors that are now active, more than half will see their licenses expire over the next two decades.
Laser Decontamination Is an Effective Solution
A laser is capable of completely removing top layers from solid surfaces like metal and concrete. These layers can be comprised of oxides, anti-rust coatings, paint and epoxy, silicates, anodization, or other deposits. Powerful fiber laser systems have demonstrated effectiveness in the near-100% removal of alpha contamination and a significant reduction in beta particle concentration in one pass, with complete decontamination after a second pass.
This process is highly controllable due to the varying ablation thresholds – the specific energy levels at which the receiving material disintegrates at the particle level. By properly setting the irradiation parameters including power density, pulse frequency and duration, and positioning the beam at the focal distance from the surface, the top layer can be precisely removed without damage to the base material.
Laser processing in nuclear power applications must be paired with a fume extraction system equipped with multi-stage filters, often in conjunction with sealed environments. While laser cleaning generates minimal secondary waste compared to cleaning by water jet or abrasive grit blasting, it gasifies contaminants, producing airborne particles that must be contained. During ablation, a strong point-source vacuum system immediately captures these gasified residues, which are then trapped by HEPA or other high-efficiency filters. These filters become radioactive waste and are treated accordingly.
Advanced Robotics for Safer Nuclear Cleanup
To enhance safety and efficiency in nuclear environments, Fonon Technologies is integrating our advanced laser cleaning systems with Brokk’s industry-leading remote-controlled robotic platforms in collaboration with Brokk USA. This integration allows nuclear facilities to perform decontamination and radwaste cleanup remotely, significantly reducing personnel exposure to hazardous environments.
By combining the precision and eco-efficiency of laser cleaning with the mobility and reach of Brokk robots, facilities can clean hard-to-access surfaces, decommission contaminated equipment, and prepare areas for reuse or dismantling — all while keeping operators safely outside of the radiation zone.
This partnership will be highlighted again at IMARC 2025 in Sydney, where Fonon Technologies and Brokk Australia will showcase how robotics and laser innovation are transforming industries like nuclear decommissioning, mining, construction, and military maintenance worldwide.
“We are excited to be able to participate at this event in the coming weeks. Fonon Technologies can significantly help industry professionals optimize maintenance processes, streamline operations, and move toward more eco-friendly and sustainable practices.” said Fonon Technologies Vice President Bryan Lee, “Partnering with an industry-leading giant like Brokk at IMARC magnifies the impact of our collaborative efforts and highlights our ability to bring groundbreaking technology to industries worldwide.”
Visionaries Like IUPAT Adopt Laser Cleaning
Today, laser cleaning is increasingly used at nuclear power plants. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is among the proactive adopters of laser cleaning technology. Servicing the United States and Canada, IUPAT employs laser cleaning tools not only at nuclear power plants, but across other power generating centers and job sites.
Jerett Patey, Business Representative at IUPAT, commented:
“Laser ablation, combined with a fume extractor, allows us to complete the work more quickly and with fewer scheduling disruptions. Unlike old methods that require shutting down, de-energizing, or isolating equipment, the laser system can often be used without those steps – delivering the same results with far less impact on operations.
We’re currently working with three nuclear power plants. The goal is to get our members in, complete the work efficiently, and get them out quickly. The old way – stripping paint, sandblasting, repainting, and then cleaning up – meant longer exposure times for workers. By reducing that exposure, we’re not only protecting our members but also improving efficiency. For plant operators, this means less downtime and lower costs. And for us, it means safer conditions for our members. Scheduling and outages are critical to a power plant’s success – so if we can save time and do it more safely, why wouldn’t we?”
Patey concluded that laser technology is going to make work significantly safer, easier, and faster. For the nuclear power plant, the advantages are reducing downtime, streamlining scheduling, and minimizing waste – which can lead to substantial cost savings. He added: “We’re proud to be part of that solution.”
Laser Use in Line With Nuclear Energy Incentive
The national energy policy is shifting toward revitalizing nuclear power – with ambitious goals like quadrupling domestic capacity to 400 GW by 2050 to fulfill the growing need for energy independence. Thus, the need for safer, more efficient maintenance and radwaste management solutions is becoming urgent for a growing fleet of nuclear facilities. Laser cleaning technology aligns perfectly with these priorities. By enabling precise, non-contact decontamination with minimal secondary waste, it supports both routine maintenance and the complex demands of decommissioning.
Fonon Technologies supports the nuclear industry by delivering advanced laser cleaning solutions that help extend reactor lifespans, increase capacity, and modernize infrastructure – ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more efficient future for nuclear energy.