Decomissioning and Decontamination Procedures

UKAEA requested proposals for the decommissioning and decontamination of the Fast Breeder reactor pond at Dounreay. There were many components to remove and the removal sequence complex. To aid the analysis and illustrate the procedure 3D simulation was used to animate the proposed sequence. Because of the limited working space and access the dismantling equipment had to be frequently relocated to allow the removal of the discarded parts. This necessarily led to a complex processing sequence. To assist in the understanding and subsequent analysis and to demonstrate the proposed exportation routes an animated 3D simulation of the decommissioning procedure was created.

In order to produce results that would be truly representative a dimensionally accurate 3D model of the existing element storage building and pond structure, with representations of the equipment to be removed was created. These details were obtained from existing 2D drawings. The proposed new decontamination, exportation facility and pond structure over-building were added to this. The simulation animation sequence was based upon a decommissioning procedure document produced by Assystem. This outlined the steps and requirements for the decommissioning route.

A short animation of the decommissioning procedures was included with the proposal. This clearly illustrated the suggested scheme and demonstrated its feasibility.View the movie.