System and method for decomissioning a steam generator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025230927-A1
Application number	US-202218705400-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 28, 2022
Priority date	Oct 28, 2021
Publication date	Jul 17, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for decommissioning a steam generator, comprising a structure defining a chamber for receiving the steam generator; and a mechanical assembly within the chamber for dismantling the steam generator.

First claim

1 . A system for decommissioning a steam generator, comprising:
a structure defining a chamber for receiving the steam generator; and a mechanical assembly within the chamber for dismantling the steam generator.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one support member within the chamber for supporting the steam generator.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the mechanical assembly comprises: at least one mechanical arm assembly within the chamber operable for dismantling the steam generator.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein each mechanical arm assembly comprises at least one dismantling member movable into contact with the steam generator to remove a segment of the steam generator.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one dismantling member is a circular saw.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one dismantling member is a reciprocating saw.

7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one dismantling member is an oxy acetylene torch.

8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one dismantling member is a shear cutter.

9 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the mechanical arm assembly is operable to dismantle the steam generator into a plurality of segments.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one mechanical arm assembly further comprises at least one decontaminating member operable to remove contaminants from the steam generator.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one decontaminating member is a shot blaster.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one decontaminating member is a decontaminate spray nozzle.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one decontaminating member is a suction nozzle.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the mechanical assembly further comprises a gantry frame within the chamber movable along the longitudinal axis of the steam generator for moving each mechanical arm assembly.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the gantry frame comprises at least two vertical frame members for mounting each mechanical arm assembly.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein each vertical frame member has a bottom end movable along the ground and a top end opposite the bottom end.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the mechanical assembly further comprises at least one gantry guide within the chamber for movably mounting the bottom end of at least one of the at least two vertical frame members of the gantry frame and for directing the movement of the gantry frame.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein each gantry guide runs adjacent to the steam generator in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the steam generator to direct the movement of the gantry frame.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the at least one gantry guide is a rail.

20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the at least one gantry guide is a recessed groove.

21 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the gantry frame further comprises at least one horizontal frame member connected to the top end of each of the at least two vertical frame members.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the at least two vertical frame members and the at least one horizontal frame member of the gantry frame define an area for passing the steam generator through as the gantry frame moves along the longitudinal axis of the steam generator.

23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the gantry frame further comprises at least one elevator system moveable along the longitudinal axis of each vertical frame member for moving the at least one mechanical arm assembly.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the at least one elevator system comprises an elevator platform adjacent to the steam generator for mounting each mechanical arm assembly.

25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the gantry frame further comprises a carrier assembly slidably mounted on the at least one horizontal frame member of the gantry frame.

26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein the carrier assembly is slidable over the steam generator between each vertical frame member.

27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the carrier assembly further comprises a segment carrier extendable from the carrier assembly to the steam generator for collecting each of the plurality of segments as the mechanical arm assembly dismantles the steam generator.

28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the segment carrier is a magnetic lift.

29 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the segment carrier is an operable grasping member.

30 . The system of claim 27 , further comprising a secondary workstation within the chamber for performing a secondary dismantling process to be performed on at least one of the plurality of segments.

31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the secondary dismantling process comprises shot blasting the plurality of segments for further removing contaminants.

32 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the secondary dismantling process comprises spraying the plurality of segments with a decontaminating spray for further removing contaminants.

33 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the secondary dismantling process comprises cutting the plurality of segments into a plurality of smaller segments for improving storability.

34 . The system of claim 30 , further comprising a storage bin within the chamber for storing a plurality of finished segments from the plurality of segments.

35 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the gantry frame is movable from a first position around the steam generator to a second position over the secondary workstation and storage bin.

36 . The system of claim 35 , further comprising a debris control curtain within the chamber for separating the chamber into two compartments.

37 . The system of claim 36 , wherein the two compartments comprise a dirty side, wherein dismantling of the steam generator takes place, and a clean side opposite the dirty side.

38 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising an air handling unit within the chamber for maintaining a negative air pressure within the dirty side to prevent contaminated air from escaping to the clean side.

39 . The system of claim 38 , wherein the air handling unit further maintains a negative air pressure within the chamber to prevent contaminated air from escaping to the exterior of the structure.

40 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising a plurality of cameras within the chamber for observing the chamber from outside the structure.

41 . The system of claim 40 , wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a plurality of cameras mounted around an upper perimeter of the chamber for providing an aerial view of the chamber.

42 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of cameras further comprises a plurality of cameras mounted on the mechanical assembly for providing a point of view of each component of the mechanical assembly.

43 . The system of claim 42 , wherein the at least one support member comprises an upper support region sized and shaped to engage with an outer metal shell of the steam generator.

Assignees

• Ats Corp

Inventors

• Morikawa David Taro
• Majarais Bernard Argos
• Johannesson Mark

Classifications

• G21D1/003 Primary

  Nuclear facilities decommissioning arrangements (decontamination arrangements, treating radioactively contaminated material G21F9/00) · CPC title

• F22B37/007 Primary

  Installation or removal of nuclear steam generators · CPC title