May 22 Conveyor channel removed from Hot Cells

After the last part of the 27 meter long conveyor channel was removed from the Hot Cell facility, the focus is on the next major stage; sandblasting of cell walls and floors via remote controlled equipment.

T On Tuesday, May 15, the Hot Cell team had the last part of the conveyor system removed and is ready for the next big stage with sandblasting of the walls and floor of the six concrete cells.

Since the beginning of the year, the team has been in the process of removing the conveyor system, which consisted of a small carriage that ran between the cells in a 27-metre-long narrow channel that runs under the tables in a closed enclosure. The conveyor system served as a transport route between the cells, and radioactive objects were transported by chain pull on the small wagon in the canal from one cell to another.

Prior to removal, the conveyor system was characterized, which means that radiation levels were examined in and around the canal and the small wagon. It turned out that, as assumed, there were a few "hot spots" (small areas containing radioactive particles with high radiation levels) and some radioactive contamination in the canal. Read more about the creative solution to the characterization task here.

After characterisation, the procurement task was carefully planned on the basis of the data collected and then thoroughly rehearsed a 1:1 model built in a non-radioactive environment. First, the wagon was taken out, then the chain pull and eventually the duct was taken piece by piece.

With the removal of the duct, the Hot Cell group is now getting ready for the big task of cleaning the cell walls via remote sand blasting equipment