- An unprecedented operation in France: the AH reactor vessel has been removed from the Chooz nuclear power plant.
- The tool designed and manufactured by NUSIM, key to success.
NUSIM is proud to have been part of a historic project with EDF: the successful removal of the vessel of the first pressurized water reactor built in France, located at the nuclear power plant Chooz A. This operation is a major step in the decommissioning of the reactor, demonstrating a high technical capacity and a job done safely.
A technical challenge successfully met
It is a complex operation that has required months of planning and flawless execution. Extracting a 190-ton, 9.5-meter-high, 5-meter-wide structure from the pool bottom with only a few centimeters of clearance is a challenge that can only be met with precision, coordination and experience.
This challenge includes a complete renovation of the existing crane and very precise cuts in the primary pipelines. At NUSIM, we designed and manufactured a handling tool adapted to the renovated crane. Our tool allowed us to perform delicate maneuvers, such as gripping, automatic leveling, turning and shielding necessary to safely extract the vessel.
The operation was completed in just one morning, thanks to pre-planning and the coordinated work of all the teams involved.
Safety and future of nuclear energy
This achievement not only represents a key breakthrough for the decommissioning of Chooz A, but also lays the groundwork for future similar projects in France and other countries.
We would like to thank Westinghouse and EDF for the opportunity to have been part of this project. One more step towards safe and responsible nuclear energy.
Image sources: L´ardennais