23 Jun See the lifting of the reactor plug

In May 2014, Danish Decommissioning carried out a major operation: lifting the 22-ton heavy metal plug from Denmark's largest research reactor DR3. The actual lifting of the plug took one hour, and the operation can be viewed in timelapse here.

TThe lifting of the reactor's plug, also known as the top shield plug, had undergone detailed planning and preparation over several years. Initially, the reactor top was cleared; metal components were sawn down, and concrete elements were drilled and chipped away. View the process of the preparatory work.

Next, the top was cast smooth, and tracks were laid for the movable lid that would cover the highly radioactive reactor tank once the plug was lifted.

Then, the Dutch heavy lifting company Mammoet arrived and assembled a modular crane around the entire structure, ensuring tracks were present both on the floor for the movable lid and overhead for the lifting crane.

A circular shielding was precisely positioned around the plug, allowing it to be lifted directly into the shielding. Subsequently, a red lifting bracket was screwed into the top surface of the plug and connected to a powerful winch on the overhead crane. The entire operational area was enclosed by a two-meter concrete wall to shield against intense radiation, and the shielding's double bottom and lid were prepared.

The entire reactor hall and surrounding buildings were cordoned off, and only the few personnel responsible for remotely controlling the lift from the bottom of the reactor hall were granted access.

The plug was lifted, and the movable lid with the concrete wall was immediately rolled over the reactor tank. The shielding for the plug was ready on the movable lid.

Watch timelapse: