AREVA NP has been selected by the utility Vattenfall Europe Nuclear Energy to decontaminate the primary loop of the Krümmel nuclear power plant, located in Geesthacht near Hamburg, Germany. The work is expected to begin before the end of the year and completed in 2016.
AREVA said it would employ two AREVA NP techniques, including the CORD UV and AMDA systems. This operation is based on the progressive injection of chemical products into the reactor's primary circuit. Once the process is completed, the chemical substances used are decomposed into carbon dioxide and water, leaving behind no additional waste.
The process is expected to lower the radiation levels in the reactor pressure vessel, auxiliary systems and piping.
The decontamination technology has been used successfully in more than 30 nuclear facilities, including boiling water and pressurized water reactors, said AREVA Reactors & Services Business Group Sales Executive Vice President Michael Cerruti.