Onet Technologies and Graphitech sign a partnership to develop laser cutting applied to the dismantling of graphite technology nuclear reactors

Nuclear decommissioning requires reliable and efficient remotely-operated tools to meet the many challenges involved in removing radioactive materials from areas inaccessible to man. Onet Technologies and Graphitech, a joint venture between Cyclife Groupe EDF and Veolia Nuclear Solutions, have signed an agreement for the development of laser cutting applied to the dismantling of graphite technology nuclear reactors.

A partnership to meet the challenges of dismantling graphite technology nuclear reactors (UNGG)

Faced with the many challenges involved in dismantling the metal structures of graphite reactors, Onet Technologies and Graphitech have joined forces to develop an innovative cutting system based on laser technology. This initiative aims to optimize reactor core segmentation operations, offering a solution adaptable to all the cutting constraints and configurations of these complex reactors.

The decommissioning of UNGG (Uranium Natural Graphite Gas) reactors represents a complex challenge, due to their particular design and the large volume of materials to be disposed of. UNGG reactors are the first nuclear reactor type. Developed in France in the 1950s and now obsolete, there are some sixty such reactors worldwide, including France (which has six), the UK, Spain, Italy, Lithuania and Japan.

The dismantling of graphite reactors is unprecedented on our industrial scale, as only two reactors of this type have ever been dismantled worldwide!

The partnership between Graphitech and Onet Technologies is designed to lead to full-scale demonstration tests at the EDF Industrial Demonstrator as early as 2024, and then to offer this technology on an international scale. The first tangible result of the collaboration: on November 20, the first elementary laser test trials began at the Onet Technologies laser technocenter, as a preliminary step to the large-scale trials to be carried out at the EDF Industrial Demonstrator in 2024.

 

Graphitech, a pioneer in graphite reactor dismantling

Graphitech is a joint venture created by EDF and Veolia through their respective subsidiaries Cyclife and Veolia Nuclear Solutions, to meet the challenge of dismantling graphite reactors. Graphitech's mission is to develop remotely-operated tools and robotic solutions for cutting complex, large-scale concrete and metal structures, as well as tools for extracting irradiated graphite bricks and stacks.

In preparation for the dismantling of the Chinon A2 reactor, the first in the series of reactors to be dismantled in the Uranium Naturel Graphite Gaz (UNGG) sector, Graphitech is already leading a program at EDF's Graphite Industrial Demonstrator to develop remotely-operated and robotized systems using various technologies for cutting metal structures and graphite, with a view to their use in the dismantling of graphite reactors.

Laser cutting to dismantle nuclear facilities: ten years of experience Onet Technologies

Onet Technologies has been active in the nuclear industry for some forty years, and has been an expert in laser cutting for over ten years. With proven know-how in design, R&D and operations, our company provides laser cutting solutions ranging from upstream design to operational implementation.

L.DCom remote-controlled laser cutting technology is one of the cutting solutions operated by Onet Technologies. This solution has been specially developed to perform under extreme conditions, and is suitable for cutting very thick materials in hazardous environments, such as those found in graphite technology reactors. In addition, Onet Technologies is one of the main contributors and leaders of the LD-SAFE project, which aims to increase the maturity of laser cutting technology for nuclear decommissioning. The UP1 plant and the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan are other major projects to which we are contributing our laser technology expertise.

In addition, Onet Technologies will shortly be opening its laser technocenter near the CEA in Marcoule, where an area will be dedicated to industrial testing and laser development activities. This technocenter will serve as a laser test center, a showroom for our customers, and an R&D center to perfect the technology.

In 2023, after ten years of work, Onet Technologies completed the dismantling of the exchangers at Chinon A3, one of France's UNGG reactors, demonstrating its ability to manage complex and ambitious projects with professionalism, and establishing itself as a key reference in the future decommissioning of UNGG reactors.

Together, Onet Technologies and Graphitech are sure to put all their expertise into developing this innovative laser-cutting system!

 

LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook

Ces contenus peuvent vous intéresser​

Do you have a need or a question?

Our Onet Technologies experts are at your disposal to answer all your requests for information or quotes.

Contact us
How to find us
Quotation simulators