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DISMANTLING PROCEDURE // The dismantling of Eurochemic is a phased operation. Since 2004, the plant has been divided into an eastern, a western and a central part. The dismantling started in 1990 and is scheduled to be fully completed in 2012. So far, the eastern part has been fully dismantled, decontaminated and is now ready for demolition. The dismantling of the forty cells, or 106 cell structures, always follows more or less the same procedure. First, the ‘spots’ - places with high radioactivity – in each cell are removed, thus reducing the radiation in the room and lowering the risk of operators becoming contaminated. Eurochemic operators receive an average radiation dose of 1.5 mSv a year. The legally permitted maximum dose is 20 mSv a year. During a second phase, all metal components are removed using plasma torches. During a third phase, the concrete walls are decontaminated with the aid of shavers. What remains, is an empty room, every inch of which is inspected for any remaining radioactive contamination. If these inspections no longer detect any contamination, the cell can be hermetically sealed. After three months, the measuring procedure is repeated. If still no contamination is measured, the cell can be released for demolition. Dismantling is a highly labour-intensive job. The operators wear special protective clothing and breathing apparatus. The extreme physical efforts allow no more than two hours of work a day. In all, 56 persons are working on the dismantling of the Eurochemic plant |
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