Abstract
It is often the case, in reprocessing facilities and waste repositories, that surface decontamination requires mechanical milling techniques on concrete, cement or brick surfaces (coated or uncoated). Integrated and compliant techniques for the efficient milling of these surfaces are in demand in a growing decommissioning sector, due to a large number of these scenarios which present challenging geometries.
This is the case for the dismantling of the MAU building which is part of Orano La Hague’s UP2 400 fuel recycling plant.
Mechanical processes proved to work since facilities are being decommissioned; however, the capability of such applications to fulfill the requirement in term of economics, techniques and environment/social need to be confirmed. Particularly, the speed rate, the strenuous working conditions, the dust’s capture’s efficiency, the possibility to obtain a final surface state that allows final surface radiological measurements have often been criticized in the various feedbacks from the work sites.
To improve clean-up operations on dismantling sites, ORANO DS collaborated with the company Astillo. Specialized in the design and manufacture of machine and tool for the surface removal of pollutants, Astillo benefits from experience in the surface treatment’s sector.
Particularly, the possibility to work with no detectable increase in airborne exposures (efficient vacuum attachments), the guarantee that all workers’ exposition to dose is kept as low as possible (semi-remote operation), the potential to accommodate a wide range of surfaces geometry and types by adaptable tools will be described.
