28 Dec 2022

Completion of Steam-Generators fragmentation at V1 NPP

Fragmentation of SG heat exchange tubes by manipulator © JAVYS, a.s.
Fragmentation of SG heat exchange tubes by manipulator © JAVYS, a.s.

Fragmentation of large contaminated components of V1 NPP primary circuit to the fragments with mass less than 1 ton was in the scope of Slovak company VUJE. After completion of dismantling and fragmentation of Pressurizers together with Pressurizer Relief Tanks (in 2020), Primary pipping (in 2020), Main Circulation Pumps (in 2021) and Main Isolation Valves (in 2021), the fragmentation of last Steam-Generator (SG) was successfully finished in August 2022 after 33 months. The fragmentation of all 12 Steam-Generators was implemented in the dry cutting workshop, newly constructed in the premises of former V1 NPP Turbine Hall. Before the fragmentation, all the SGs were transported from the Reactor Building to the temporary storage areas established also in the former Turbine Hall. The cutting activities were performed mainly by using the prototype equipment (developed by VUJE together with Technical University of Košice) for cutting of SG shell as well as by using the remotely controlled manipulator for SG tubes cutting. The performance of these activities in the separate workshop enables the application of additional measures (e.g. construction barriers, local ventilation systems, limited access of workers, measures for avoiding the potential leakages of radioactivity) to increase the safety level (including radiation protection) of these dismantling activities and to minimize the amount of produced radioactive waste. To demonstrate the last mentioned fact, more than 75 % of fragments (i.e. around 1450 tons of metal materials) produced during SG fragmentation process was released to the environment for recycling directly after dismantling and post-dismantling decontamination or will be released after application of decay storage for several years.  

Transport of last SG to the dry cutting workshop © JAVYS, s.a.
Transport of last SG to the dry cutting workshop © JAVYS, s.a. 
Last cut (SG collector) of the last 12th SG © JAVYS, s.a.
Last cut (SG collector) of the last 12th SG © JAVYS, s.a. 
Contact

Matej Zachar
VUJE, a.s.
matej.zachar@vuje.sk