Germen specialists trained SERAW staff to work with the high-tech machine for crumbling rainforced concrete elements
The State Enterprise Radioactive Waste included the “diamond wire” technology in the specialised dismantling works on the shutdown units 1 and 2 of Kozloduy NPP. With the use of this high-tech method there will be dismantled the reinforced concrete structures in the small reactors of KNPP.
The SERAW staff from the Special Division Decommissioning-Kozloduy was assigned with the responsible task of dismantling the units, went through special training to work with the “diamond wire” technology, which is unique for the country. The training was conducted and certified by the German experts. The machines that will crumble the rainforced concrete structures are also delivered by a German company. The project’s funding was provided by a KIDSF grant in support of the decommissioning activities for the shutdown reactors.
All reinforced concrete structures in the Turbine hall above level zero will be crumbled with the “diamond wire”. However in order to start the dismantling of these structures, they have to be radiologically studied, both the metal and the concrete structures. The dismantling of the specific part can start only after that. The heavy and complex structures will be cut in smaller and simpler elements which will facilitate their transportation, storage and even second use.
The “diamond wire” cutting machine is the most efficient way to remove large concrete structures. The advantage of this type of technology is that there is no limitation of the cutting depth. The implementation of the activities is very precise and the result is smaller elements that require less expenses for processing. During the operation water has to be poured on the diamond wire in order to prevent the diamond pearls from destruction, and also to secure the export of the spent material out of the cutting area.
The equipment dismantling from units 1 and 2 of Kozloduy NPP comes as an answer to the decommissioning commitment which the Bulgarian state undertook. In November 1999 the Bulgarian government and the European Commission signed a Memorandum with which Bulgaria undertook a commitment for shutting down and decommissioning of the small units of the nuclear power plant. As result of this all four units were shut down within the agreed deadlines – units 1 and 2 at the end of 2002, and units 3 and 4 at the end of 2006. Following a decision of the Council of Ministers from 2008, units 1 and 2 were declared to be facilities for radioactive waste management and together with all the necessary moveable properties they were submitted to SERAW. In 2010 NRA issued to SERAW licenses for operation of the first two units as facilities for management of radioactive waste, which are subject to decommissioning, and terminated the licenses of Kozloduy NPP for their operation in mode “E”. On 26 February 2013, NRA handed over to the SERAW the licenses for operation of units 3 and 4 as facilities for radioactive waste management.
All SERAW activities on the decommissioning of the shutdown units take place applying high measures for ecological and work safety which meet the European and the Bulgarian legislation for environmental protection and protection the life and health of the population.
