NUKEM Successfully Achieved Final Dismantling Of RPV AT Oskarshamn NPP
NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH (NUKEM, ENS Corporate Member), in partnership with Uniper Nuclear Services GmbH (UNS), has successfully completed the complex dismantling of the fourth and final reactor pressure vessel (RPV) at the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant in Sweden.
This achievement represents the successful conclusion of an ambitious fleet dismantling project. UNS as the consortium lead, managed post-segmentation and the packaging of the cut RPV components into specialized containers, while NUKEM executed the in-situ segmentation of the RPV and the removal of asbestos insulation between the RPV and the biological shield.
Between July 2020 and December 2024, NUKEM and UNS dismantled four reactor pressure vessels at the Oskarshamn and Barsebäck sites in Sweden.
By systematically applying lessons learned, we reduced the dismantling time by nearly half from the first to the fourth reactor, demonstrating a remarkable increase in operational efficiency. The project also shows that even the most complex tasks can be carried out successfully, adhering to all safety and radiation protection requirements, and without any incidents
emphasized Sergey Molodtsov, Managing Director of Operations at NUKEM.
The dismantling of a reactor pressure vessel – one of the largest and most radioactively contaminated components of a nuclear power plant – requires exceptional precision and strict safety compliance.
The RPV was successfully cut into transportable segments and prepared for final disposal. The process incorporated state-of-the-art technology, including a specially developed flame-cutting method and innovative tools that enabled safe handling of radioactive materials while ensuring the safety of the project team.
Additional challenges, such as the removal of asbestos-containing insulation, were systematically addressed through comprehensive planning and design.
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