DFR Breeder Builds International Links

14th November 2006

Following the installation of the 25 tonne crane that is now impressively taking centre stage high over the partially clad building, the interior construction work is rapidly progressing and the layout of the pioneering plant to remove the breeder elements from DFR is beginning to take shape.

A site inspector and an assessor from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) have recently accompanied members of the project team to the offices of SGN in Cherbourg, the French company appointed to design, manufacture and install the process cell. This is the cell and associated equipment responsible for dismantling the breeder elements by removing the cladding and exposing the uranium slugs in preparation for packaging into 500 litre drums ready for storage.

Taking the NII inspectors to view the development of plant equipment at such an early stage shows the forward thinking nature adopted by the project team and how UKAEA and its regulators are working closely together to forge valuable worldwide links as we decommission our facilities. The £6.7 million contract was awarded to SGN, who have existing expertise as designers and manufacturers of similar equipment for La Haugue, the large French reprocessing plant.

Claude Bonnet, project manager for SGN, has been involved with the project from the start and said: "We are delighted to be working with UKAEA on this challenging mission to remove the breeder elements from the Dounreay sphere. It is very rewarding for our company to play a key role in helping to decommission one of the world's first fast reactors."

SGN have commenced trials to test the design of the process cell prior to shipping and subsequent installation in the breeder plant early next year. The containment building is expected to be wind and water tight by January 2007, with setting to work scheduled to start during the summer.

Peter Poulton, UKAEA senior project manager for the project, said: "The breeder removal project is a clear example of the benefits of an alliance of companies working together and how expanding beyond this to work with our international partners and sharing our knowledge and experience recoups such positive results. The project team have also maintained an exemplary safety record at the plant, which is a credit to everyone involved."

The work on site is being undertaken for UKAEA on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority by ALSTEC, with the support of local contractors Isleburn Structural Services, G&A Barnie Ltd, Arch Henderson LLP, Mowat Design, Pentland Construction and Hugh Simpson Contractors Ltd. Other members of the Alliance are AREVA NP (formerly Framatome) who are providing the breeder retrieval equipment and WS&H who are providing the flask handling equipment.

The breeder removal is due to start in 2009 and will take approximately three years to complete subject to consents.