The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering TUKE signed in 2018 with VUJE a.s. a contract for the development, production and supply of a complex of equipment for the fragmentation of steam generators of the decommissioned V1 nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice. Under the leadership of the staff of the Prototype and Innovation Center of the FME TUKE, more than 20 researchers from several areas participated in the solution of this large-scale project.
Steam generators, there are 12 of them, were more than capable opponents. Each has 160 tons, 140 mm thick outer steel casing and 5,500 stainless steel pipes inside. All this was cut into pieces that could be stored in standard barrels and 800x1200mm fence pallets.
The development resulted in unique four-element devices with patent protection. The fragmentation complex consists of five workplaces - technological manipulator TM200
with interchangeable cutting heads, a circular support frame with two cutting modules, workplaces for collecting collectors with a band saw, a cutting workplace and equipment for secondary pipe cutting. In addition, the final customer, JAVYS, emphasized the need for maximum automation of the equipment in order to limit the impact of radioactive radiation on operators. This created unique devices with world-class technical and ecological parameters.
As of December 2021, 8 steam generators have already been fragmented, and in January the ninth will be brought to the workplace.
