remote tooling systems - snc-lavalin
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♦)) SNC • LAVALIN
Remote Tooling Systems Remote tooling systems for high hazard environments
Nuclear
Operations and Maintenance Life Extension
Refurbishing late-in-life nuclear reactors is a cost-effective solution to maintaining emissions-free electricity production. The refurbishment of a reactor typically involves removing and replacing the aged reactor components that prevent continued safe operation of the reactor. New reactor components are then installed, and the system is brought back online. All of this work involves managing highly radioactive components in high hazard environments.
SNC-Lavalin’s remote tooling systems are a set of processes and systems that are used to perform automated removal, inspection and installation of the reactor core safely and effciently. Due to the radiation hazards associated with this work, these systems are highly automated and employ sophisticated mechanic and electrical control systems to effectively and reliably perform their tasks.
These multi-systems are controlled remotely from a control room located outside the hazards of the reactor vault. Manual control of these tools can also be performed from the control room, or via a handheld pendant located at the tool during maintenance events.
> Highly automated remote system for removal, inspection and installations of reactor core
> Removes workers from hazardous environment
Third generation system with patented improvements
Our clients control risk by using our proven technology. The automated systems perform tasks such as cutting reactor components into smaller sections, manipulating those sections into shielded containers where they can be volume reduced or transported through the facility to our on-site medium-term storage facility. Systems also provide automated and precise positioning and alignment for the installation of new reactor components.
Key design benefts
These systems designs require a high degree of reliability and robustness. SNC-Lavalin’s design process involves multiple levels of review, failure mode analysis, risk assessment, and incorporation of lessons learned from previous projects to ensure tool performance and reliability.
As an OEM, SNC-Lavalin has a large collection of OpEx (operating expense) and lessons learned from previous work on major refurbishment projects, as well as periodic maintenance and inspections of operating reactors. This allows for a deep understanding of the inherent hazards and risks of these projects, as well as a sound understanding of customer needs.
Figure 1—While our Retube Tooling Systems were specifcally designed for CANDU® applications, elements of the system (i.e. volume reduction, waste storage) are applicable to other nuclear technologies.
Figure 2—Pressure tube cutting tool on heavy work table. We are the only organization with experience designing retube systems and executing retube projects over the past twenty years.
Figure 3—These systems are controlled remotely from a control room located outside the hazards of the reactor vault. Clients can control risk by using our proven technology.
® Registered trademark of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL), used under licence NUCLEAR OFFICE by Candu Energy Inc., a Member of the SNC-Lavalin Group.
2285 Speakman Drive ™ Trademark of Candu Energy Inc., a Member of the SNC-Lavalin Group.
Mississauga, ON, L5K 1B1, Canada Telephone: +1 905 823 9040 Email: [email protected] | [email protected] www.snclavalin.com/nuclear
2018-10-832882419698029