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3 September, 2010
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Published: 31 October, 2007
RIPPING out the innards of Dounreay's famous dome has begun, with the stripping out of the integral reactor ducting and associated equipment that once helped power the UK's first fast breeder reactor.
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The reactor-well ventilation ducting and some electromagnetic pump duct-work is being removed from the sphere in order to minimise hazards for future decommissioning work and to open up access routes for the removal of the DFR breeder. Essential safety checks are being carried out prior to the ducts being cut into manageable sections using a special technique for contaminated components. A total of 85 metres of redundant ducting will then be wrapped and placed in storage to await packaging and disposal as waste. An incentive scheme has been put in place which will reward the project team for carrying out the work to cost and on schedule, whilst maintaining an exemplary safety record. The removal of the ductwork is estimated for completion by the end of March 2008. Another component to be removed is a redundant glovebox which was once installed within the sphere for the removal of equipment associated with the reactor primary coolant circuits. Removal will not only free up space but allow the unit to be utilised elsewhere on site, which will save time and a substantial amount of money. Once the glovebox has been isolated and checked for safe removal, it will be lifted from the plant using the newly-refurbished Goliath crane. It will then be prepared for transportation to the Prototype Fast Reactor facility where it will be used as part of its decommissioning programme. Mike Brown, DFR decommissioning manager, said: "Removing old equipment that has been in situ for over 50 years brings with it many challenges. Lateral thinking and expert planning is essential and safety must remain the utmost priority at all times. "The project team are delivering an optimised programme of work which is not only essential for the decommissioning of DFR, but brings with it benefits to the overall site decommissioning programme and other plants and facilities." UKAEA is carrying out this work on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority with the support of its contractors, Doosan Babcock, Nukem and Johnson Controls. The decommissioning of DFR is expected to be completed by 2030. 
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