Magazine - NUVIA › ke-stazeni › cs › nuvia-magazine › 09... · Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2 Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2 I SERVICES & WORKS I SWEDEN

P.16 Major Project

CHOOZ - DECOMMISSIONING OF REACTOR VESSEL

P. 02 SNAPSHOT: PRE-STRESSING OF JULES HOROWITZ REACTOR

P. 18 MAJOR PROJECT: MONITORING THE RADIONUCLEIDE ACTIVITY OF GASEOUS EFFLUENTS - CZ

P. 20 ACTIVITY: FIRE PROTECTION

NuclearJune 2016 — Issue 2

Magazine

Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2

Foreword

SNAPSHOT

NUVIA FRANCE – A First in France! To undertake pre-stressing of the Jules Horowitz reactor on the CEA Cadarache site, we chose to use sheathed and greased strand cables. This technology makes sure

the tension of the cables is constantly controlled, so tightening or replacement are easy to plan when necessary. This means a maximised operating life for future reactors…

In 2015, for the first time, the 21st United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP21, resulted in an intergovernmental consensus agreement signed by all 195 of the participating

countries, in order to limit global warming to 2°C. All countries present commit themselves towards a very ambitious action plan that includes Nuclear power as one of its answers.Women and men working for NUVIA across the world are therefore proud to contribute to everyday efforts towards creating a carbon-free energy, thus reducing greenhouse gas effects.This second issue of our “NUCLEAR Magazine “ is an opportunity for you to discover some of the recent projects lead by our specialists on very many nuclear sites in a kind of world-tour of solutions and projects.Our teams play a leading role at different stages: design and building of new nuclear facilities, maintenance and operating, up to actual decommissioning. We accompany our Customers along their facilities’ whole lifespan with security and safety in mind all the long.By our innovative solutions, we bring our contribution each day to make nuclear energy safer, cleaner and more reliable.I hope that through this Magazine you will share our passion and dedication to the success of our Customers’ projects.

Have a pleasant read.

BRUNO LANCIA, NUVIA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

8 - 9 June 2016

SMR 2016 London - UK

28 – 30 June 2016

WNE Le Bourget – France

1st September 2016

Sellafield Supplier Forum – UK

15 – 19 October 2016

EANM Barcelona – Spain

8 – 9 November 2016

SFRP Issy les Moulineaux – France

The agenda

02

03

Nuclear magazine, NUVIA biannual magazineCommunications Department: 280 Avenue Napoleon Bonaparte92500 Rueil Malmaison - France.Director of the publication: Isabelle MennessonChief editor: Lydia LuxAdditional editorial work: Brigitte de SabletContact: [email protected]

Visit our website www.nuvia-group.com


In the context of the UK’s decommissioning programme, NUVIA was asked to develop innovative equipment to facilitate secure transferring of highly radioactive fuel to another storage facility. NUVIA UK teams met the challenge with enthusiasm and success... The First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) is located in the area of the Sellafield Ltd. site, associated with now disused production plants and ponds. These facilities represent the UK’s number one decommissioning priority as set out by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.FGMSP’s primary role was the receipt and storage of irradiated fuel from the UK Magnox power stations, built in the 1950s and 60s as part of the UK’s expanding nuclear programme. The facility took receipt of its last fuel package in 1992, remaining in a state of care and maintenance since that time. As part of the Sellafield Ltd. site’s decommissioning programme, there was a requirement to alter FGMSP’s

inlet building to allow for the export of fuel, from the pond to an alternative storage facility. In order to enable this export process, NUVIA was tasked with the design, procurement, manufacture and installation of a number of mechanical packages into the facility. One of the challenges NUVIA faced during the installation phase was the high radiological dose rates from the pond beneath the cell. This significantly limited the time in which personnel could work in the area.NUVIA developed an innovative shielded platform system, which linked together once in situ, thus providing a stable working platform, protecting the operatives and extending their working time from 10 minutes to 2 hours. NUVIA was also contracted to conduct the full Engineer, Procure, Construction (EPC) of an off-site, purpose-built Integrated Test Facility.

I ENGINEERING I UNITED KINGDOM

NUVIA UK – A strategic defueling contract


NUVIA UK – Vacuum Operated Slug Lift Tower Demolition: NUVIA efficiency marks points…

04

05

Sellafield Ltd. needed to significantly reduce the radioactivity of its Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) liquor in order to comply with requirements, get back to a safe level and enable batch transfers of active liquor ultimately to an effluent plant for treatment. No problem for NUVIA.The MSSS facility is used to store waste, submerged in water in a number of concrete silos. Sellafield Ltd. had a requirement for the installation of equipment to enable batch transfers of active liquor to a holding tank, and then to an effluent plant for treatment.

NUVIA won the contract to design, procure, manufacture and install a Liquor Activity Reduction (LAR) System for the MSSS, which included equipment testing and the construction of an off-site test rig. The objective of this project was to reduce the specific activity of the MSSS liquor to a safe level over 3 years, enabling its removal to a facility where it could be processed.MSSS posed numerous challenges, created not least by the facility’s position in a busy area of the Sellafield Ltd. site! Nuvia worked closely with the client to unders-tand these challenges, and worked collaboratively with them to obtain a positive result.


NUVIA UK – Undertake a reduction of MSSS Liquor activity at Sellafield Ltd.? A job for NUVIA…


NUVIA UK – A perfect collaborative approach A real “example“ for future projects... That’s how Sellafield Ltd. see the relations developed with NUVIA all along the Drum Filling Plant construction contract, designed to discharge the PFSP. This Pile Fuel Storage Pond built in 1952 contains a combination of used nuclear fuel, radioactive sludge and intermediate level waste and pond water. NUVIA was awarded the contract to complete the detailed design, procurement, manufacture, off-site testing and installation of a Drum Filling Plant, with the primary function to discharge sludge from the pond into containers, for encapsulation prior to safe storage.During Phase 1, NUVIA developed the details of the client’s initial design and secured the necessary statutory and regulatory approvals to support operation of the plant.NUVIA then took charge of a second phase of work, covering the construction of the Drum Filling Plant and integrated works testing. Also included were the detailed design, site installation and inactive commissioning.The collaborative approach between NUVIA and Sellafield Ltd. delivered real benefits in the efficient running and successful completion of this project. Working with the client in partnership in the early design phases, and then at the test facility, ensured a smooth transition through to final installation and commissioning at the Sellafield Ltd. site itself. After successful completion of the site works, the client remarked that the project would be seen as exemplary for future design and build of small to medium sized bolt-on nuclear processing plants.

As part of the future decommissioning operations on the MSSS* Silo site (see above), Sellafield Ltd. first had to find a way of bringing down - in absolute security - the Vacuum Operated Slug Lift (VOSL) situated at its centre. Another challenge NUVIA passed with the honours. The VOSL demolition project involved the removal of the brick built VOSL tower from the operations floor inside the Magnox Swarf Storage Silos (MSSS); an activity which needed to be undertaken first, to enable the installation of waste recovery equipment to support future decommissio-ning phases. NUVIA was initially awarded the contract for design work (Phase 1), but this was later extended to cover the implementation phase (Phase 2). NUVIA developed approaches to solve difficult challenges on the project, such as working from the top of the tower and within a specially designed containment structure: the brickwork and pipework were safely removed using hydraulic cutting and brick

separating equipment. The complexity of the project arose from the physical and radiological environment in which the demolition was undertaken. To make sure the project progressed smoothly and that risk was minimised, operatives were trained, using an off-site scale model prior to the works commencing. Following the dismantling of the tower, the remaining pipework located beneath the VOSL was capped, with steel floor plates installed over the operations floor. The site works were undertaken by NUVIA’s Site Services team, who demonstrated excellent control of all conventional and radiological safety aspects on the project, maintaining a zero incident rate throughout. The project was even completed ahead of schedule, resulting in the achievement of an early completion bonus... This project has been recognised by both Sellafield Ltd. and NUVIA as an exemplary project, on the basis of successful safe delivery, within budget and ahead of time. * Magnox Swarf Storage Silo.

All over the world


06

07

From the start, the EPURE** project had set ambitious targets in terms of quality, safety, security and environmental sustainability. All the parties involved were particularly keen on getting the Vinci Construction France environmental certification, “Attitude Environnement“. Mission accomplished, in February 2015… The certification is based on ten criteria to be met on any eco-friendly VINCI worksite. The process started off with an analysis meant to identify the requirements and detect hazardous ecological impacts. An audit conducted in January 2015 by an environmental expert confirmed that the site met all the criteria for the Label. And the distinction was awarded in February 2015.

However, checks are undertaken up until the end of the EPURE project to make sure work complies with best practices, consumption measures, waste production and treatment and to keep an eye on possible incidents.

* “Environmental Attitude“** Radiographic and hydrodynamic facilities, being built at the CEA Valduc, France.

I SERVICES & WORKS I FRANCE

MILLENNIUM & NUVIA Structure – EPURE project awarded “Attitude Environnement“* Distinction

EDF has launched the replacement of core steel reinforced concrete pipes of three seafront nuclear sites: Paluel, Penly, Flamanville. The work is part of the major refit programme for all French nuclear power plants in an effort to extend the useful life beyond 40 years.The “BONNA“ concrete ducts (that were named after the single historical supplier) meant to be replaced are part of the condenser cooling circuits of the turbo generator unit as well as the heat exchangers of the intermediate component cooling system. In 2015, on the Paluel 3 site, NUVIA Structure performed the replace-ment of 6 metres of straight section, one curved section and two feedthrough casings for the Essential Service Water System. During this pilot project, NUVIA Structure demonstrated its expertise in precasting, cutting, handling, welding and concrete filling.

That’s the reason why EDF handed the Paluel 1 project over to NUVIA Structure, in order to replace the shafts of its Essential Service Water System. Work on this major project is currently underway and will last over a year. These retrofit projects are part of NUVIA Structure’s overall develop-ment logic: a combination of complex expertise, techniques and logistics during outages.


NUVIA Structure Major pipe changes in Paluel…

“Smart and ambitious measures!“ according to the Certification Commission.

“Core steel reinforced concrete pipes play an essential role in nuclear safety“.

All over the world


I SERVICES & WORKS I SWEDEN

NUVIA Nordic – End of the game for the two research reactors in Studsvik In three strategic phases, up until 2019, NUVIA will be participating in the decommissioning of two disused research reactors present on the Studsvik nuclear plant in Sweden. The reactors, with a capacity of 50 MW and 1 MW, were fully operational from 1960 to 2005. The 1st stage of NUVIA’s intervention has now been successfully completed with Areva Gmbh and EBS as partners. What was NUVIA’s role? To cut the

reactors into segments, then loaded into special waste containers, in order to be destroyed. This needed eight months’ preparation so as to develop special tooling, adapted to the underwater works entailed. The characterisation of the waste took place before the actual segmentation could start. For each lot, all the estimated data needed was checked on-line and deadlines for delivery to the storage facilities was totally respected…

08

09


NUVIA Process & MILLENNIUM – NUVIA Group demonstrates unparalleled know-howThe CEA in Marcoule has launched modernisation and general cleaning-up and improvement operations of the liquid effluent treatment plant. The joint group NUVIA Process – Millennium are carrying out radiological work on two settling tanks.Both settling tanks are disused since 1989 and 2004, and are partially filled with effluents: different kinds of deposits and sludge slightly to moderately radioactive, which can’t be pumped with the means available on site.Therefore, NUVIA teams were brought in to determine hardware requirements as well as necessary safety strategies in order to empty both settling tanks of 550 and 300 cubic metres of their radioactive effluents.

…A careful preparation that offered an excellent basis for the rest of the operations. Indeed, NUVIA’s mission is to prepare the site, plan the procedures and then undertake the actual emptying of both settling tanks. Preliminary studies showed the need to put in place a platform to allow operators to circulate between tanks, that will also host the ventilation, the outfall and its monitoring system, as well as the airlock where waste will be processed. Pumping and filter skids will be fixed in each tank, a new transfer line will be built to send off the pumped sludge to the outlet pond.Studies and regulatory safety approvals started back in 2012. Then more recently NUVIA Process started the installation of a control cabin, electrical wiring between the cabin and the settling tanks, while a

waterproof reinforcement was applied on the tank covers. The project is well under way and should continue in 2016 with the installation of the platform built on purpose. Pumping should start in October 2016 and will last a year.

From the beginning of a decommissioning project, it is essential to know comprehensively the location and the state of the facilities, to ensure the success of studies and works. However, tracking operations can be long, requiring heavy equipment such as scaffolding and implying significant dose impact.In 2014, NUVIA Process acquired a 3D laser scanner and its software. Aurélien, who initiated the project, tells us a little bit more: “This scanner allows quick visualisation of any nook and cranny! You can get very accurate digital simulations and the scanner can be operated in total darkness, indoors or outdoors, in contaminated or non-contaminated areas, and at a distance. And last but not least: it does data sharing… Once the measurement readings are transformed into “clouds“ of multiple points, NUVIA Process teams can generate an autorun file displaying the whole facility and the exact dimensions, which enables an avatar to evolve in a totally virtual environment“.NUVIA Process has implemented this process on several sites: Marcoule (STEL, UP1 plant, Decladding), Superphenix, Cruas NPP, and the European research centre located in Ispra, Italy.

NUVIA Process offers a turnkey solution that covers facility scanning up to the delivery of a 3D scale-model with all relevant information, particularly onsite equipment, its condition, type of waste, its weight and appropriate disposal, type of material, etc.Thanks to extensive experience and expertise, NUVIA Process together with other entities of the group also offer complete decommissioning scenarios.


NUVIA Process – When “clouds“ clear the view!

All over the world

A VERY WIDE RANGE OF SKILLSAs this project shows, NUVIA can count on its highly skilled teams in all kind of fields: plat-form design, video monitoring systems, sample collecting systems, design of new ventilation systems (with their outfall), safety paperwork for each phase of the project, General opera-ting rules, renovation and cleaning-up, etc. Such an array of capabilities is one of NUVIA’s major strengths.

3D SCANNER: AN INVALUABLE TOOLThe scanner registers and stores the whole environment, and its re-solution is adjustable depending on recording time, ranging from five millimetres to 20 metres dis-tance. The system models in detail easily and rapidly the intervention areas while reducing personnel’s exposure time.

HOW DOES THE DECOMMISSIONING OF A REACTOR GO?Phase 1 – Segmentation of the reactors and discharge of reactor pool water Phase 2 – Demolition of radioactive parts of the reactor pool and biological shieldPhase 3 – Dismantling of remaining active installations and structures


The contract awarded is for a period of five years, with an option for two additional years.NUVIA will carry out the maintenance of fire protection systems that have various requirements (fire, flood, radiological) contributing to a lifespan extension of these French nuclear power plants.

NUVIA Protection has become THE leader in fire-protection maintenance on French nuclear power plants! In 2007, NUVIA won a seven year contract for maintenance on penetrations located in Chooz, Fessenheim and Bugey. When the contract was renewed recently, NUVIA Protection was asked to take over fire-protection on eight different sites: Cattenom, Fessenheim, Nogent, Belleville, Bugey, Saint-Alban, Cruas and Tricastin, for a total of twenty-four plants.

10

11

After the FUKUSHIMA accident, nuclear operators decided to increase their efforts to reinforce facility safety. Facilities that are currently built by the joint venture NUVIA - VINCI CONSTRUCTION France are all undertaken with this major issue in mind. Power loss is a major risk, as electricity ensures the operation of cooling systems. So EDF decided to equip its 900 MWe, 1300 MWe and 1450 MWe PWR with Emergency Diesel Generators (EDG). New buildings are going to be built to house and protect these critical stand-alone power generation devices.In the Saint Laurent des Eaux NPP, the construction of the first two EDG buildings is well under way, thanks to the Vinci Construction – NUVIA Structure joint venture. The project is even ahead of schedule…Furthermore, 46 other EDG buildings have to be protected from earthquakes by using hooped elastomeric reinforcements, the aim of which is to reduce the buildings’ vibration frequencies and thus limit seismic strains. Concerning these particular buildings, after a year’s preparation, NUVIA Structure has qualified for the installation of these devices, and won the contract to supply 368 reinforcement bearings for EDG buildings. During the twelve month preparation, the process went through several phases: justification by calculation, material resistance and ageing tests, static and dynamic mechanical tests, etc. Large-scale tests were held in the group’s seismic laboratory, Isolab. Some of which mobilised the most powerful dynamic presses in the world, installed in the Italian laboratory of Eucentre, in Pavia, as well as the laboratory of the University of California in San Diego...


NUVIA Structure – Facing the elements

The operating license of Tihange 1 has been extended up to 2025. Authorities conditioned this decision to a complete check-up of the facilities’ safety, within the context of the Long Term Operation (LTO) project, jointly managed by the operator Electrabel and the engineering firm Tractebel.Concerning NUVIA Protection in particular, they won the contract for the filling of the site’s fire-stopping penetrations. What were Nuvia’s key arguments? As listed by Kevin, operations manager, “…technical solutions complying with the latest earthquake resistance and tightness requirements, as well as our company’s stringent quality system and high finishing standards. Parallel to the LTO project,

one of our teams has now settled onsite to solve the customer’s problems. For example, they were able to tackle the Control Room tightness problem they had in Tihange. The project was carried out under very tight planning constraints, with multiple interfaces with the contractor and very strict safety measures during the procedure. In the end, the team’s commitment and efficiency were greatly praised by the customer… A good sign for future projects!“.

I SERVICES & WORKS I BELGIUM

NUVIA Protection – Nice achievement in Tihange 1!


NUVIA Protection Now leader in Fire-protection maintenance

All over the world


12

13

Do you know SIRIS?It’s a new Stand-Off Radiation Detection (SORD) system developed in 2015 by Pico Envirotec. SIRIS (Stand-off Integrated Radiation Information System) is targeted towards government homeland security departments and law enforcement agencies for the detection of nuclear threats. The SIRIS offers advanced detection techniques and algorithms among which directional radiation detection, isotope identification, neutron presence detection, as well as high dose-rate detection capabili-ties… Such an innovative and high-performance tool is particularly in line with current needs in the radiopro-tection field.

I PRODUCTS I CANADA

PICO – SIRIS, when innovation serves security

In 2015, Pico Envirotec completed and supplied a modified P-THEM system (Helicopter towed electro-magnetic system for mineral exploration) to its customers in Pakistan. The new P-THEM offers increased dipole magnetic moments, expanding underground penetration capabilities. The actual test surveys were conducted with success early 2015 in Northern Ontario.

I PRODUCTS I CANADA

PICO – “Magnetic moments“ for underground exploration!

Thanks to NUVIA CZ, our Czech branch, the water-sprinkling fire extinguishers, that the DUKOVANY plant containment building used to have, were replaced recently with an aerosol spray system.The sprinklers developed by NUVIA for the client have a number of advantages compared to standard gas or water fire-extinguishers. First of all, they are highly-efficient in terms of fire-extinguishing (extinguishing concentration of the new types is lower than 28g per cubic metre, compared to 600-800g per cubic metre for inert gas extinguishers). These aerosols are light, compact and easy to store. The system used is simple to set up, reliable and doesn’t need any installation of pressure vessels, closing valves etc. The aerosol units are also extremely easy to assemble and disassemble, entailing very little upkeep requirements…

Among other strong points, and not the least, the extinguishing agent of these aerosols is environment-frien-dly. “The product is made of metal salts and doesn’t contain any ozone-depleting substances. It doesn’t have any effect on the quantity of oxygen in the area treated, and once used, can just be wiped off surfaces. Which means: no water on the machinery! In comparison with other systems, the aerosol sprinkler is clearly more efficient, more reliable and more cost-effective!“In this instance, NUVIA CZ’s first job was to supply and assemble the electrical wiring and MCS (manage-ment control system) for the aerosol sprinkler system, and undertake different inevitable changes to do with the project. After having disassembled the old spray sprinkler piping system, NUVIA teams were able to assemble and install the new aerosol equip-ment. They then took care of the hermetic sealing of the pipe penetra-tions and the installation of a leak testing device. They also added fire dampers to the extremities of the cabled fire zone of the HVAC system, inside the confined area. Finally, the whole system was ready to work once all the electrical wiring was connected and the control circuits were connected to the new fire alarm system.

I PRODUCTS I CZECH REPUBLIC

NUVIA CZ – Aerosol sprinklers for Dukovany NPPWith its extremely efficient, reliable and long-lasting aerosol fire extinguishers developed on special request, NUVIA delivered the answer to the strictest requirements of the power-producing industry.

All over the world

Initially developed in the 1980’s for military purposes, aerosol ex-tinguishing systems are now finding their way to civil uses, parti-cularly to protect areas that contain complex and technological de-vices.


14

15S.E.A. GmbH designs and manufactures standard and customised radiation measuring instruments. Customers for such specialised products can be nuclear power plants, homeland security, civil defence or nuclear medicine. S.E.A.’s excellent reputation is particularly due to its portable contamination monitors, CoMo-170 and CoMo-300. They’re also sought after for their hand-foot-clothing contamination monitors, wipe test counters (single and

multiple) and for their laundry contamination monitors on conveyor belts or running rails… All of these instruments are equipped with plastic-scintillation detectors and are made in Germany.

I PRODUCTS I GERMANY

S.E.A. – Fine monitoring for maximum protection

I PRODUCTS I GERMANY

MED – Radiations under controlMED Nuklear-Medizintechnik Dresden, German branch of NUVIA, designs and manufactures laboratory counters and radiation monitoring systems for nuclear medicine, PET-centres and therapy stations. MED offers a complete range of high-performance products, made in Germany and PC-based:- dose calibrators,- uptake-counters, incorporation counters, well-counters,

waste water counters,- dose rate monitoring systems,- contamination monitors and release counters,- hot lab furniture.Such state-of-the-art technology shows how well NUVIA is positioned on such promising markets as nuclear medicine…

3D FRAMEWORK MODELLING FOR FESSENHEIM

Cutting edge software for complex steel frames NUVIA Structure designed and carried out the construction of a building to cover the tank of borated water (PTR tank) at the Fessenheim power plant. The infrastructure of this building, built on micropiles, consists of a thick reinforced concrete wall meant to withstand extreme hazards – seismic or climatic – such as tornadoes, floods or accidental explosions. The framework implemented had to be extremely dense, made of complex assemblies and sensitive metal inserts. Therefore, the best technical solution according to NUVIA was a 3D modelling of the framework with ARMA3D® software.ARMA3D® software’s is a key tool that enables mainly:- positioning of the frames to the associated formwork

with automatic matching of coatings,- detection of static collisions between the frames (clash

detection),- definition of “allowed penetrations“ that define negative

tolerances for small diameter framework which can be adapted onsite,

- dynamic collision monitoring, allowing real-time checks: avoiding a clash somewhere on the framework without creating a hazard on another part of the structure. In addition, the software automatically checks the possibility of introducing – without causing a collision – a metal plate or a complex reinforced subset, and it calculates the mounting path.

These last two functions are far from being gadgets! They are unique on the market of 3D steel reinforcement drawing software and are a major help in the design of complex projects.For effective implementation, a 3D framework model needs the simultaneous pooling of complementary profiles. Pierre, Project manager, confirms: “We set up a technical platform where the engineering staff in charge of the project (methods, construction, etc.) and the workers from the company in charge of machining the frames were present on a systematic basis. The 3D scale-model was the team’s real working tool. It allowed the creation of plans, 3D assembly instructions and film-making of complex assembly sequences. We also developed digital interactivity, thanks to an A3 pad, between documents created in the engineering department and those used on site“.

Innovation

ARMA3D® was developed by VINCI Construction Major Projects in CATIA language, particularly for the Louis Vuitton Foundation building project near Paris.

The first reinforced concrete building completely designed in 3D for a nuclear site in operation.

All over the world


NUVIA STRUCTURE & NUVIA PROCESS I FRANCEEDF

For the first time in France, a reactor vessel is going to be totally dismantled and decommissioned. The nuclear power plant concerned is the one at Chooz, in the French Ardennes. A major challenge assigned to the NUVIA-Westinghouse joint-venture… Inside the “cavern” where the reactor and steam generators used to be, all that’s left is the vessel. 180 tons of steel, partially radioactive following a 30 year long production. “We are going to remove the vessel, cut it in segments and evacuate the pieces. So we built a cubicle especially”, explains Yannick Mercier, project manager. This reinforced concrete bunker-looking cell, with 1 metre thick walls, is meant to house all the necessary tools needed to transfer elements to the waste contai-ners. “The cell will be underwater, as the actual cutting up will take place 10 metres underwater with remote controlled equip-ment. Then all the pieces will be removed via the slug-lift, analysed, characterised and placed in adequate specific containers, depending on the category of nuclear waste they belong to. After tightness tests, the containers themselves, duly identified, will be evacuated, transferred to a dedicated transit zone and then handed to EDF”.One of the issues of the project lies in the volume of the waste produced. As explains Clément, civil engineer

in charge of operations: “The ANDRA* organisation, responsible for stocking the waste, charges EDF depending on the number of packages. Therefore the aim is for the 320 tons of parts of the vessel and its internal components to take as little space as possible. The drums can contain up to 3 tons of radioactive waste, so we have to fill them as efficiently as possible”.The whole waste conditioning process has been one of the major challenges for NUVIA, entailing the participation and know-how of very many dif-ferent specialist in-house teams, from civil engineering to radioprotection, through to ventilation and mechanical experts.“We were awarded the contract back in 2009: one of the biggest decommissioning contracts ever. Preliminary studies lasted until 2012; they were followed by the certifi-cation and material provisioning phases for another 2 years. Obviously, we had to show EDF that our project would work perfectly. Because one of the constraints had to do with the setting: an underground power plant that you get access to by a hundred metre gallery that ends up in a relatively small cavern. We had to prove that our calculations were right and that our system would be compatible with limited space. So we undertook a blank full-scale test for some of the decommissioning phases planned. For instance we reproduced the actual cell as well as the working space representative of

the Chooz pool. We created scale-models of the internal elements supposed to be treated and tested the kinematic devices, with weights, in presence of the client. And everything went according to plan, without a hitch…”.Finally, NUVIA’s civil engineering part started in 2014 and should be completed in June 2016. Builders will then give way to the decons-truction professionals. “It’s important to keep in mind that this project is a first for NUVIA, as it is for EDF, and that it is going to stand out as a decisive example for future decom-missioning of second generation PWRs currently being built.”

* Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs, French national radioactive waste management agency.

Key facts and figures

— 100 cubic metres of formed concrete produced in the middle of a controlled area: innovative civil engineering that is quite unseen in such a sensitive environment, and that combined traditional masonry, concrete pouring and hollow wall elements.— Constant radiation protection: the lift bringing the waste baskets out of the water has a special shielded coating.— Controlled air: cascaded ventilation supplies operators with filtered air, rid of any contaminating dust.

A FIRST IN FRANCE: DECOMMISSIONING OF A PWR VESSEL

Major Project

16

17

Wide angle view of the Chooz NPP

The Chooz power plant started its decommissioning process for the primary circuit of phase A in 2018. In 2016, a crucial stage is coming up, with the implementation of the waste conditioning cell and the removal of the vessel’s cover. A delicate mission that has also been entrusted to the NUVIA – Westinghouse joint venture.

“For NUVIA teams, this really is a fantastic experience EDF will be able to rely on in the near future.”

Yannick Mercier, NUVIA project manager.

Civil engineering, mechanics, ventilation, radiation protection… All kinds of specialities are implicated, in a complex project where a lot is at stake.“Indeed, we anticipated each detail and took the project very seriously. As it often happens with civil engineering, we has our ups and downs, among which finding unexpected and non-listed asbestos. Ha-ving the appropriate in-house specialists, we were able to go ahead without losing too much time, thus respecting deadlines. Engineering in the works phase really is one of NUVIA’s strengths!”


WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITY OF GASEOUS EFFLUENT RADIONUCLIDES?

NUVIA CZ I CZECH REPUBLIC

The answer comes straight from the Czech Republic, where NUVIA CZ has designed and developed the NuRMS GASEM device. It’s an extremely precise measuring system that is invaluable when it comes to monitoring gamma spectrometric activity of noble gases present in nuclear plant effluents.The instrument is designed to sample and measure gas inside the power plant’s ventilation stack. Every 10 minutes, a sample is sucked in and purified as it goes through a system of aerosol and iodine filters. The gas is pressurized and its gamma spectrum is recorded via a multichannel analyser also designed by NUVIA CZ. The measured gamma spectrum is then evaluated thanks to spectrometric software that identifies nuclides present and generates a measurement report. Results such as spectra files, reports, evaluated nuclides activities and minimal detectable activities are archived and can be sent to any other database or information system. Above all, the essential strength of this system is its powerful control software called GAMWIN, dedicated to routine processing of results of gamma

spectrometric measurements. It includes features specially designed for nuclide identification and quantification, as well as the identification of peaks, of their surface area, their adjustment and the removal of background peaks.The whole system is self-sustaining, made to work without any human intervention, even though for special purposes such as maintenance, testing or calibration, the system can of course be switched to manual mode and all active components can be controlled by users thanks to the software.

The NuRMS GASEM System enables precise measurements of noble gases on NPPs.

IN DETAIL…The sample of gas is pressu-rized in a Marinelli beaker and measured with a semi-conductor HPGe detector. To reduce detectable activity to the minimum, the Marinelli beaker and the HPGe detec-tor are shielded with a low background lead. Both the sampling system and the multichannel analyser (MCA) are manufactured by NUVIA CZ, so they are particularly designed to be combined.

A PROCESS THAT HAS PROVED ITS WORTH…NuRMS GASEM has already proved its effectiveness in-side nuclear power plants like Dukovany and Temel in (Czech Republic) as well as Cernavoda (Romania).

Major Project

Specific activities and expertise to meet the requirements and needs of our customers

ACTIVITIES

CIVIL WORKS

PROTECTION

MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

NUCLEAR MEASUREMENT

HEALTH PHYSICS & SAFETY

DECOMMISSIONING

LOGISTICS

OPERATIONS

WASTE MANAGEMENT

CONTAINMENT

TRAINING


20

21

PROTECTION

NUVIA Protection, ONE STEP AHEAD

140 EMPLOYEES TOTALLY DEDICATED TO OUR CLIENTS AND PLANT OPERATORS

Fire-fighting technologies and techniques are a fast-growing market. Thanks to its expertise and solid reputation in this field, NUVIA now holds a major market share. Why and how? Bernard Marquez, Managing Director of NUVIA Protection, replies to Nuclear Magazine questions.

Nuclear Magazine – What is the issue nowadays in fire protection? How do you manage to keep up with constantly changing regulations and requirements?

The subject has always been central for nuclear operators. But now, it is all the more important that regulations are getting stricter. Anticipating these new rules enables us to offer our clients products and systems that fully comply with the latest requirements. In fact, we don’t just meet new regulations: we react to field requests, which are sometimes ahead of legislation.

Can you give us an example? Once recently we developed a range of fire dampers that could be handled when hot: it was in response to a demand that came from firefighters who were concerned by the control of gas circulation in case of a fire. By providing a technological solution to this request, we collectively participated in the progress of fire safety.

NUVIA Protection has been extremely successful recently, winning major contracts. What made the difference with competitors?Twenty-four French nuclear plants out of fifty-eight are in our portfolio. In fact, we are the leaders in the maintenance of fire zoning penetrations. Our assets? On the one hand, we had previously demonstrated our expertise on eight plants. On the other hand, when European standards changed, we were the first qualified. At an early stage we already had a catalogue of innovative products and processes in compliance with the new requirements. Anticipation really is one of our strong points. But our clients also especially appreciate our straightforwardness and our quick-reacting tools. Simplicity is what drove our teams to create the NuMPF system: a flexible and light protection that is easily installed on cable trays to prevent the fire from spreading while the actual devices protected keep working. This is a very effective solution, easy to implement, which is much appreciated by our

Focus

NUVIA Protection ONE UNIT FOR TWO SPECIALITIESNUVIA Protection develops innovative and efficient solutions to ensure the safety of personnel and to control facilities or machinery in emergency situations.- NUVIA Passive Protection, which covers all aspects in fire and flood protection and radiological risk.- NUVIA Mechanical Protection expertise focusses on the protection of ventilation equipment against fire.

Ideally protected cable traysProtective sheaths are installed by segments, which facilitate maintenance. This makes quite a difference with other systems, such as complete one-piece covers.


NUVIA Protection, ONE STEP AHEAD

customers. Processing speed is another major advantage that we can offer with our Fire protection devices. Our new OPPI system is a perfect illustration: this tool has a business intelligence database. This critical-decision-making database enables the client to react swiftly, reducing costs as well as lapses of time before maximum temperatures supported by security-critical sensors or actuators are reached, at the actual place where they are. The OPPI device takes into account the space configuration as well as all types of initiating events. As well as being reliable, it avoids long and expensive studies. So really, as the operators say, our simple, straightforward and fast-reacting solutions make their life easier.

Your products are very versatile, anyway, aren’t they?Yes indeed... Our Products are fire-proof, airtight, watertight and resistant to radiations (gamma, neutrons), thanks to our R&D teams that include chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, structure specialists as well as radioprotection engineers from MILLENIUM. Such synergy is quite unique in this industry and plays a decisive role in our success.

A fire-damper that's manoeuvrable at high temperatures

NUVIA is the only company that manufactures fire-dampers that are

manoeuvrable at high temperatures. This equipment is manufactured by the

piece, in our factories. A strategic answer to firemen’s

expectations.

The Group

22

23

PROTECTION

Focus

30 YEARS TECHNICAL EXPERTISE NUVIA clients actually have access to our laboratory: a service that can be valuable in order to make the right decisions.As an example, in 2014, a question arose: should a client plan - or not - to totally replace more than 3000 metres of cable?These cables were old and standards had evolved. The aim was to evaluate whether the whole system needed replacing or whether the existing installation still met requirements... For one month, NUVIA Protection teams tested more than one hundred cables in their laboratory. Performance curves showed that they met new standards. Thanks to the testing lab along with NUVIA Protection’s technical and regulatory expertise, the customer avoided expensive renovation work.

PORT OF SÈTE, FRANCE: OUR TECHNIQUES COMBINED

On the French Mediterranean coast, the port of Sète is progressively changing to adapt to container transport. Soletanche Bachy France and Balineau, a specialised branch of Soletanche Bachy, are in charge of building the new dock H, 470 metres long, with a 14.5 metre deep draught. The works started in September 2014, with the construction of a dyke. Then in 2015 took place the ground optimisation work by vibratory compaction (undertaken by Menard) and the construction of a diaphragm wall of 530 metres longs, 29.5 metres under sea-level. ...With an impressive containment structure, among the largest in France, consisting of seventy 160 mm-thick passive anchorage rods! Operations are still under way in 2016: civil engineering, earthwork, controlled modulus columns, maritime works and finally the installation of all the dock equipment (bollards, protection and conveyor systems).Scheduled for completion this summer 2016, this project will have brought together a whole spectrum of techniques implemented by our Group.

BIRTOUTA-ZERALDA RAILWAY LINE, ALGERIA: FACILITATING TRAVEL IN THE ALGIERS REGION

In 2015, Freyssinet finished building and installing the decks of three major viaducts along the railway line under construction between the cities of Birtouta and Zeralda in the Algiers region, scheduled for completion in 2017. For the prestressed concrete structures with a combined length of nearly two kilometres, the teams designed the decks and then supplied and installed the prestressing and special railway infrastructure equipment. As the viaducts are located in an earthquake zone, ISOSISM anti-seismic systems developed and produced by Freyssinet were installed. The new line will provide access to the coastal cities in the Greater Algiers area. It is part of a railway development project in the Algiers region that will offer an alternative transport system to relieve road traffic congestion.

CERRO VERDE MINE, PERU: THE HIGHEST VERTICAL GEOTREL® WALLS!

Cerro Verde is an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex, situated at an altitude of 2 700 metres, near the city of Arequipa in Peru. To support the significant increase in production, Tierra Armada Perú has designed 34 metre-high single walls for two primary crushers in order to facilitate maneuvers for

dump trucks, weighing approximately 700 tonnes. In a second stage, an additional GeoTrel® wall was built in order to link the two crushers. At the end of 2015, 4 400 m² of GeoTrel® Reinforced Earth® walls were erected with GeoStrap® reinforcements and biaxial geogrids. Tierra Armada Perú also provided technical assistance and

materials. This project established a new record for Terre Armée as it has the highest vertical and single walls erected with geosynthetic strips and wiremesh panels!

THREE PENINSULAS TO BE BUILT FOR “LA MER” PROJECT IN DUBAI

Menard Vibro, local subsidiary of Menard, spent six months working on the “La Mer” project, the aim of which is to create three peninsulas (North Peninsula, South Peninsula and Headland), that will include a whole new beach, beach, a leisure and entertainment hub, and residential area. Upstream work consisted in deep ground compacting works. Almost seven million square metres of underwater soil were vibro-compacted at depths of 12 to 16 metres. The site was then cleared and backfilled so as to build the final platform at +4.5 m DMD (reference level in Dubai). Finally a surface of 470 000 sqm was compacted by high energy dynamic compaction.

NUVIA, partner of nuclear facilities’ lifecycles.NUVIA, a Soletanche Freyssinet (Vinci) subsidiary, participates throughout nuclear the lifecycle of nuclear facilities. Our services range from construction, waste management and plant life extension, to operations of facilities while ensuring a level of excellence and mastery of safety and security.

Vertical integration of technologies for the protection of facilitiesNUVIA o� ers vertical integration for its projects, encompassing design, manufacture, quali cation and on site implementation.NUVIA has also developed two speci c product ranges:• NUVIA Tech Protection : a range of products for managing facility risk : fi re, fl ood, earthquake, radiological hazard.• NUVIA Tech Instruments dedicated to nuclear measurements.

SubsidiariesUAE, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA

Nuvia Group280 Avenue Napoléon Bonaparte92500 Rueil Malmaison - France

Email : [email protected] www.nuvia-group.com

NVA-370101-Pub22x30-Nuvia-UK-Mar2015.indd 1 07/04/2015 16:53

Documents

Magazine - NUVIA › ke-stazeni › cs › nuvia-magazine › 09... · Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2 Nuvia Magazine — June 2016 — Issue 2 I SERVICES & WORKS I SWEDEN