Orano Implements Patented New Method for Dismantling and Segmenting Shutdown U.S. Nuclear Reactors
Patented process achieves substantial benefits in overall performance of safety, schedule and cost.
BETHESDA, Md., February 28, 2023 – Orano Decommissioning Services has implemented its two patents (US 9,728,287 and US 9,984,780) for a new method of decommissioning a shutdown nuclear reactor in its work at the Crystal River 3
accelerated decommissioning project.
The new “Optimized Segmentation” process cuts up and removes everything inside the reactor vessel (RV) and then precisely repacks the low-level radioactive waste into the RV before cutting the massive component, minus the reactor vessel closure head (RVCH), and its shielded contents into three large pieces sized for transportation and disposal.
The thick-walled, steel alloy RV is used to contain and shield the segmented Class A, B, and C low-level waste for shipment. The RVCH also ships separately as low-level waste. As is normal procedure for all decommissioning projects, the Greater-than-Class-C (GTCC) low-level waste is separately packaged and secured in onsite dry storage until a licensed repository is available.
“Our innovative Optimized Segmentation process reduces the normal 80+ low level waste shipments of reactor vessel and internals components to just three transports,” said Geoff Wilde, Orano Decommissioning Services President, “which also significantly reduces the potential impact to the community while enhancing overall safety, schedule, and cost performance.”
As with all procedures on a nuclear reactor site, the process complies with all regulations and oversight.
Details about Orano’s patented Optimized Segmentation process and its implementation are being detailed in a white paper and presentation this week at the Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, Arizona. The Optimized Segmentation white paper abstract is available here.
Image: Orano’s patented Optimized Segmentation process for the accelerated decommissioning and removal of the reactor vessel and its components from shutdown nuclear reactors. © Orano 2023
The new “Optimized Segmentation” process cuts up and removes everything inside the reactor vessel (RV) and then precisely repacks the low-level radioactive waste into the RV before cutting the massive component, minus the reactor vessel closure head (RVCH), and its shielded contents into three large pieces sized for transportation and disposal.
The thick-walled, steel alloy RV is used to contain and shield the segmented Class A, B, and C low-level waste for shipment. The RVCH also ships separately as low-level waste. As is normal procedure for all decommissioning projects, the Greater-than-Class-C (GTCC) low-level waste is separately packaged and secured in onsite dry storage until a licensed repository is available.
“Our innovative Optimized Segmentation process reduces the normal 80+ low level waste shipments of reactor vessel and internals components to just three transports,” said Geoff Wilde, Orano Decommissioning Services President, “which also significantly reduces the potential impact to the community while enhancing overall safety, schedule, and cost performance.”
As with all procedures on a nuclear reactor site, the process complies with all regulations and oversight.
Details about Orano’s patented Optimized Segmentation process and its implementation are being detailed in a white paper and presentation this week at the Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, Arizona. The Optimized Segmentation white paper abstract is available here.
Image: Orano’s patented Optimized Segmentation process for the accelerated decommissioning and removal of the reactor vessel and its components from shutdown nuclear reactors. © Orano 2023