NaK residues

The bulk of the liquid metal in the primary circuit will be transferred from the primary circuit and destroyed in the NaK disposal plant. But before the circuitry itself can be dismantled, the residues still inside the system need to be made safe.

Other equipment, such as the reactor vessel and dump tanks, are also coated in NaK and this hazard needs addressed, too, before these items can be removed.

Different techniques for treating these residues have been identified:

  • Freezing
  • Carbonation
  • Water vapour nitrogen
  • Super heated steam

The reference strategy is water vapour nitrogen, which has been demonstrated successfully during trials for its use on the Prototype Fast Reactor.

The project team is reviewing the work done to date to confirm the preferred option for destroying the residues of NaK. Once selected, a period of detailed design, manufacturing and off-site testing will follow.

Decontamination of the primary circuit and other NaK-wetted equipment is scheduled to start in 2015.
 

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The steam generating plant is demolished

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Removal of pump ducting

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Redundant ventilation is stripped out