The overall aim of the joint project “RoTre” in cooperation between the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Siempelkamp NIS Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH was the development of an innovative and more competitive internal pipe separator with a wide range of applications in terms of pipe diameter, wall thickness and material. The system was to be designed in such a way that it could be decontaminated after use to ensure universal application. Thanks to its high flexibility and universal applicability, the internal pipe separator should save many hours of work in the development and construction of special individual solutions.

The idea for a universal internal pipe separator was developed based on the current state of the art. Only various individual solutions or systems with considerable deficits for use in nuclear facilities are available on the market.

Siempelkamp NIS Ingenieursgesellschaft mbH focused on the development, design and manufacture of a new type of carrier system and tool demonstrator for internal pipe separation. The KIT-TMB, on the other hand, was responsible for the accompanying scientific research and was in charge of the development and construction of a universal test stand for internal pipe separation. In addition, the KIT-TMB was responsible for planning, conducting and evaluating the recorded data. In order to ensure the practical suitability of the system, the two partners received cost-neutral advice from RWE Nuclear GmbH for the entire duration of the project.

The internal pipe separator manufactured and already used in tests can be used for the separation of (preferably) non-alloyed steel with the following parameters, using a standard tool (D=125 mm):

- Pipe inner diameter from 205 mm to 360 mm (max. clamping range)

- max. wall thickness = 35 mm

- max. outer tube diameter = 415 mm