Specialised nuclear projects
Equans boasts over four decades of dedicated involvement in the nuclear sector. Our team of 400 experts tirelessly strives to enhance safety and operational excellence on a daily basis. With vital financial backing from the Energy Transition Fund of the Federal Public Service Economy, Equans has successfully pioneered innovative operational methods, ensuring a 100% safe operation within the nuclear environment.
Packing and transport of high radioactive waste (2020-2022)
CAROLINE R80 : cask for radioactive transport in large quantities in a nuclear environment
Radioactive waste is generated across various sectors: nuclear power plants, research facilities and medical institutions. This waste encompasses low, medium, and high radioactive components. For nearly two decades, an annual requirement of about twenty transports of medium to high radioactive waste to treatment facilities has been in place. Historically, these transports fell under a 'Special arrangement,' where compliance with ADR-regulations was ensured through supplementary measures. However, this arrangement was designed to be an exception rather than the norm.
In response to NIRAS' request and with the support of the relevant authorities, a tailored transportation trailer and packaging have been meticulously designed to fully adhere to current rules and regulations. This ensures the safe transport of radioactive waste. The project's feasibility was initially explored through an industrial study in collaboration with Federal Public Service Economy. The trailer and packaging underwent rigorous testing with non-radioactive materials to identify and address any potential design flaws. After two years of dedication, the design is now complete and prepared to tackle the forthcoming challenges.
ARCHER (2018-2021)
Project ARCHER was a collaborative effort that brought together Equans, Magic Instruments, KU Leuven, and UHasselt to develop a cutting-edge robot capable of autonomously performing high-risk operations in radioactive environments. This advanced robot has been meticulously designed to navigate radioactive settings independently, seamlessly integrating real-time geometrical and radiological data into a single comprehensive map.
This groundbreaking innovation significantly minimises the need for human involvement, thereby reducing the potential for human errors and limiting operator exposure to radiation and the risk of contamination.
Mobile melting furnace (2020-2021)
When it comes to decommissioning nuclear power plants, the imperative task is the removal of all radioactive components from the facilities. To safeguard society and the environment from potential radioactive exposure, all nuclear activities are strictly confined to controlled areas. Nuclear power plants, designed primarily for power generation, offer limited available space within these controlled areas, necessitating the construction of temporary facilities for the dismantling process.
Ultimately, these temporary installations must be disassembled themselves, leading to additional nuclear waste generation. An alternative option involves relying on international treatment facilities, but this choice leads to an increase in the number of nuclear transports. To address these challenges, a feasibility study was conducted to explore the viability of employing mobile melting furnaces.
Study of transport over inland waterways (2020-2021)
Looking ahead, the decommissioning of nuclear power plants is on the horizon, resulting in a surge in nuclear waste generation. This amplified waste stream necessitates transportation to treatment or storage facilities, thereby escalating the frequency of nuclear transports. This expansion presents unique challenges contingent upon the waste category.
Category A waste primarily grapples with a high volume of units, while category B and C waste streams encounter logistical obstacles owing to their substantial size, weight, and radiological activity, exemplified by components like steam generators. As road transportation carries numerous disadvantages, an investigation into the utilisation of inland waterways has been undertaken. The primary finding of this study indicates that container transport is more feasible by road, whereas the transportation of large components via inland waterways offers distinct advantages.
Automation of carrier (2020-2023)
As nuclear facilities undergo decommissioning or are slated for such action, the imperative is to ensure that these sites are entirely free of radioactive contamination. To achieve this, operators have traditionally relied on handheld devices to meticulously measure radioactivity levels on the walls, floors, and roofs of these structures. This process is exceptionally time-consuming, given the small size of the device and the vast areas that need to be assessed. It demands precision to prevent erroneous readings, often requiring double measurements for added certainty. Furthermore, it places a heavy burden on labour resources.
In response to these challenges, the 'Automation of Measurements' project, in collaboration with the Energy Transition Fund, conceptualised and designed an automated measurement device. This innovative solution can be effortlessly positioned in front of an area via a forklift, where it autonomously scans the surroundings. Additionally, the 'Automation of Carrier' project explored the feasibility of implementing an automated carrier system, replacing the operator-handled forklift. This enhancement enables the device to conduct measurements in a fully autonomous manner, significantly reducing both the time and labour intensity involved in these assessments, while concurrently mitigating the potential for human errors.
Feasibility study: Dismantling of steam generators (2020-2022)
Nuclear facilities and power plants worldwide are undergoing closures or have imminent plans for decommissioning in the coming decades. Dismantling a nuclear power plant is a highly specialised endeavor, demanding meticulous examination of every component before initiating preparations and planning.
In this context, Equans, in collaboration with its dedicated subsidiary Transnubel NV and with the valuable support of the Energy Transition Fund, conducted an exhaustive feasibility study. The study encompassed various critical aspects, including the assessment of transportation logistics from the nuclear power plant to the dismantling facility, the intricacies of the dismantling operations (comprising cutting, decontamination, sorting, and packing), ensuring safety and ergonomics throughout the entire project, and a comprehensive cost analysis to gauge the overall project expenses.
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