Mar 13 Hot Cell - we test mechanical arms

Preparations for the next major decommissioning project are underway.

V We are in the process of testing mechanical arms to be used to clean Hot Cells. It takes place with a so-called mockup, i.e. a 1:1 model, where we test the range of the vacuum cleaner arm and later of the sandblasting arm. Dummytest is a regular part of our preparations so that we can test methods and correct any weaknesses.

Hot Cells were a series of cells experimenting with, among other things, irradiated experimental fuel. They are highly contaminated with radioactive substances and radiation levels are so high that it is difficult to send personnel into the cells to grind and clean. The cleaning must therefore be carried out with mechanical arms, which are inserted into the cells via holes in the 1.7 metre thick concrete walls. Inside the cells, all surfaces must be sandblasted, and then contaminated paint flakes and sand must be sucked into a special ventilation system.

We are currently testing the suction arm, which should be able to reach all corners. As a rule, the operator cannot see what is going on on the other side of the wall, so a camera will be mounted on the arm. In addition, a dome camera is shot in with a la lance at ceiling height so that the entire cell can be monitored.

Work on Hot Cells will be the next major decommissioning project after the the Fuel fabrication plant . At the same time, we are in the process of dismantling DR3, which was Denmark's largest research reactor .