Bulletin 2/2010 - Siempelkamp NIS

SIEMPELKAMP | NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
Dismantling of the fuel element storage pool
the dismantling process at VAK had to be carried out remotecontrolled.
A radio-controlled demolition excavator on a height- adjustable
work platform disassembled the radioactive concrete and
steel. In order to operate the excavator, the team relied on
cameras. The excavator operators received special training to
carry out this task. The entire work area was protected by a
housing which prevented dust leakage to the outside and was
equipped with high-performance ventilation systems.
Altogether approximately 400 t (441 US tons) of concrete and
steel were disassembled.
Facts and data about VAK
After a construction period of only 29 months, VAK,
the fi rst nuclear power plant in Germany, started operation
on November 13, 1960. The boiling water reactor, built
according to American standards, was designed with an
electrical power output of 16 million Watts (16 MWe).
This plant was built with the objective to gain experience
for nuclear power plants planned for the future.
Another focus was the education and training of nuclear
power plant personnel. VAK, an investment company (80%
RWE and 20% E.ON), produced in its 25-year lifespan a
total of 2.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. On November
25, 1985 the plant was shut down according to
schedule. During operating times, reactor physics engineers
from NIS were responsible for the deployment planning of
fuel assemblies at VAK.
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