Systems and methods for dismantling a nuclear reactor

Abstract

Systems and methods for dismantling a nuclear reactor are described. In one aspect the system includes a remotely controlled heavy manipulator (“manipulator”) operatively coupled to a support structure, and a control station in a non-contaminated portion of a workspace. The support structure provides the manipulator with top down access into a bioshield of a nuclear reactor. At least one computing device in the control station provides remote control to perform operations including: (a) dismantling, using the manipulator, a graphite moderator, concrete walls, and a ceiling of the bioshield, the manipulator being provided with automated access to all internal portions of the bioshield; (b) loading, using the manipulator, contaminated graphite blocks from the graphite core and other components from the bioshield into one or more waste containers; and (c) dispersing, using the manipulator, dust suppression and contamination fixing spray to contaminated matter.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for dismantling a nuclear reactor, comprising:
 a support structure located within a workspace that at least partially surrounds a bioshield of the nuclear reactor;   a control station located in a non-contaminated portion of the workspace; and   a manipulator operatively coupled to the support structure and controlled from the control station, wherein the support structure is configured to provide the manipulator with substantially complete access to a radioactive contaminated core housed within the bioshield, and wherein the manipulator is configured to:
 dismantle the contaminated core to form removable contaminated blocks; and 
 load the contaminated blocks into one or more waste containers for transport out of the workspace. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the manipulator comprises a spray system configured to disperse a dust suppression spray onto contaminated matter located in the workspace. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the spray system comprises an integrated spray system configured both to suppress dust and to fix any loose contaminated particles. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the support structure comprises:
 a set of rails positioned above the bioshield; and   a bridge mounted on the rails, wherein the manipulator is moveably mounted to the bridge.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the bridge is configured to move along the set of rails, wherein the manipulator is mounted to the bridge via a bridge trolley, and wherein the bridge trolley is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicularly to the movement of the bridge to provide the manipulator with top-down access into the bioshield. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the support structure comprises a free-standing structure that is supported by a plurality of support columns independent of the bioshield. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a contamination control enclosure that encompasses at least a portion of both the bioshield and the support structure. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the contamination control enclosure comprises a plastic walled containment that completely encompasses both the bioshield and the support structure. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the manipulator is configured to load the one or more waste containers within the contamination control enclosure, and wherein the one or more waste containers are configured to transport the contaminated blocks out of the contamination control enclosure. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the support structure comprises a barrier floor having at least one aperture sized to receive a top portion of the one or more waste containers, and wherein the top portion is substantially coplanar with a top of the bioshield while the contaminated blocks are being loaded into the one or more waste containers by the manipulator. 
     
     
         31 . A system for dismantling a nuclear reactor, comprising:
 support means located within a contamination control enclosure that at least partially surrounds a bioshield of the nuclear reactor;   dismantling means moveably mounted to the support means for dismantling a radioactive contaminated core housed within the bioshield to create removable contaminated blocks, wherein the dismantling means is remotely controlled to gain access to substantially all internal portions of the bioshield; and   loading means to load contaminated material, including the contaminated blocks, into one or more waste containers for transport out of the contamination control enclosure.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising dispersing means to suppress dust and fix loose contaminated material within the contamination control enclosure. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the bioshield comprises a ceiling and a plurality of walls that surround the contaminated core, and wherein the dismantling means is further configured to remove at least a portion of the ceiling to expose the contaminated core. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the portion of the ceiling that is removed comprises a protective cover of the of the bioshield and a plurality of ceiling plugs. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the dismantling means is further configured to reduce the ceiling and the plurality of walls into rubblized material after the contaminated core has been removed from the bioshield. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the loading means is further configured to load the rubblized material into the one or more waste containers for transport out of the contamination control enclosure. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the dismantling means is disassembled and loaded into the one or more waste containers for transport out of the contamination control enclosure after the ceiling and the plurality of walls have been reduced into the rubblized material. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the contaminated core comprises a graphite moderator. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the dismantling means is configured to move on the support means above a top surface of the bioshield in both a first direction of travel and a second direction of travel perpendicular to the first direction of travel to provide the dismantling means with top-down access to the contaminated core. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the dismantling means is remotely controlled from a control station located outside of the contamination control enclosure.