Orano completes the dismantling of the boiling water reactor core at the Vermont Yankee power plant in the United States. The cutting and packaging of the reactor vessel and internal components required less than four years.
Dismantling over four years
Orangé would begin dismantling operations in 2019, after two years of preliminary studies. This mission was part of a contract signed with NorthStar, a leading company in the dismantling and deconstruction of industrial facilities. The latter will finalize the dismantling of the plant by 2027.
In order to guarantee the highest level of safety for dismantling the irradiating parts of the reactor core, Orano carries out the cutting remotely. For the internal equipment of the tank, the cutting takes place under water. In fact, Orano has remote-controlled equipment for remote dismantling.
On the other hand, the tank is over 20 meters high and weighs several hundred tons. It is the largest metallic component of a boiling water reactor. Therefore its cutting is done in the open air.
A recognized experience
Finally, Orano is also in charge of packaging. The French company manages the transport of waste generated by this dismantling operation. In addition, a dedicated site in the West Texas area will house the waste.
Orano has extensive experience in dismantling operations. The company employs 2000 employees specialized in these destruction operations. It contributed to more than 160 decommissioning projects.
In particular, the company carried out a quarter of the destruction of pressurized water reactors in the world. Orano is currently dismantling six nuclear reactors in Germany. For its activities in the United States, which include the destruction of the boiling water reactor at the Crystal River 3 power plant, Orano is working with NorthStar.
