Our story
January 21, 2025
8 min read

Rust be gone! Laser blasting boosts maintenance at Darlington Nuclear

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At a glance

  • Workers at Darlington Nuclear are now using an innovative laser solution to cut costs and time spent on maintenance activities.
  • Unique laser ablation method uses a pulsed laser beam to clean equipment in a matter of seconds.
  • Whether it’s removing years-old rust, paint, or contaminants, the laser is proving to be a game-changer for the station.
A worker at Darlington Nuclear demonstrates the laser blasting tool.
A worker at Darlington Nuclear demonstrates the laser blasting tool.

Through the power of the laser, workers at OPG’s Darlington Nuclear are saving time, money, and improving safety.

Recently, the Darlington Refurbishment Maintenance department introduced a new, innovative laser ablation solution, also known as laser blasting, to aid in maintenance activities.

The innovative tool, made by Belgian company P-Laser, uses a pulsed industrial laser beam to clean equipment in a matter of seconds. Whether it’s removing decades-old rust or paint from equipment or helping to prep surfaces for welding and other work, this efficient technology is paying huge dividends.

This new method has already proven to save hours, if not weeks, on maintenance prep work while ensuring safety for our workers.
Don Snowden
First Line Manager at Darlington Nuclear

“This new method has already proven to save hours, if not weeks, on maintenance prep work while ensuring safety for our workers,” said Don Snowden, a First Line Manager at Darlington who helped lead and implement the initiative.

This rusty pipe at Darlington Nuclear was cleaned in a matter of seconds using laser ablation.
This rusty pipe at Darlington Nuclear was cleaned in a matter of seconds using laser ablation.

So, how exactly does it work? Laser ablation deploys a laser beam that can be dialed up or down in intensity to treat various surfaces, including metal, plastic, and even wood. There is no residual heat following treatment, so workers can safely wipe their finger over the surface.

The ingenious tool can even laser through water, which is ideal if radiated equipment needs cleaning.

A select group of trained technicians have been safely handling the tool at specialized stations throughout the plant, helping different work groups tackle projects.

When it comes to applications, the laser approach boasts impressive versatility. In addition to removing aged rust and paint, it can also help connect different surfaces and remove fixed, radioactive contaminants.

The innovative laser ablation tool, made by Belgian company P-Laser, is helping to clean equipment in seconds at Darlington Nuclear.
The innovative laser ablation tool, made by Belgian company P-Laser, is helping to clean equipment in seconds at Darlington Nuclear.

Before laser ablation was introduced, Darlington’s maintenance teams were faced with ordering expensive replacement parts, working long hours, and risking heightened exposure to hazardous environments to disassemble and re-install components.

Now, thanks to the laser, instead of waiting 36 weeks for the delivery of a new valve, for instance, the team can now clean the part in only a few hours.

Aside from the time savings, the laser is helping reduce workers’ radiation exposure while also eliminating the need to use chemicals to remove paint.

This is just the latest innovative approach at OPG that is helping to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable generating operations for Ontario. Other recent innovations include an award-winning 3D scanning initiative and a unique approach to building a new tailrace deck at the Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station in Niagara Falls.

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