The Practical Application of Technology Exhibition or PATEX was held in April 2011 at Nuclear Engineering
Services, Limited’s NW UK facility at Beckermet Technology Park, Nr Sellafield, Cumbria, UK. Underwater Construction Corporation (UCC) was in attendance as a showcase exhibitor and onsite demonstrator. UCC and Thin Film Technology, Inc. conducted live in-water diving operations in the presence of more than 600 nuclear industry attendees that demonstrated the application of UCC’s Advanced Underwater Coating System.
The two day event showcased TFT’s underwater nuclear coatings product which was applied using a revolutionary application system pioneered by UCC’s underwater research and testing facility. This same process has been used by UCC to successfully apply TFT underwater coatings to carbon steel, stainless steel, and concrete surfaces throughout nuclear facilities around the world for more than 15 years.
The four person UCC team was led by Philip McDermott, UCC’s Director, of Global Nuclear Services. The live diving demonstrations showcased not only TFT’s underwater coating product but also UCC’s continued global leadership in nuclear diving.
UCC’s unique large area application method is invaluable to the nuclear power industry as it allows for the application of the TFT coatings without building staging and dewatering. The use of divers also greatly reduces possible contamination and radiation exposure to the workforce.