On March 5, 2012 the first major cutting of the Reactor Vessel Internals (RVI) at Zion was started. PlantD is proud to have been a part of a few teams that made this happen.

Siempelkamp Nuclear Services, Inc. (SNS) is performing the first cutting of the Westinghouse PWR Core Barrel and Thermal Shield utilized their "CHORCE" machine. The Zion CHORCE (Circumferential Hydraulically Operated Cutting Equipment and pronounced "Sea Horse") is shown in the Core Barrel to the right.

The PlantD companies, utilizing lessons learned from our long history of machine design, proposed the current Zion CHORCE design in 2011. SNS awarded our manufacturing branch to design and build the Zion CHORCE for the Lower Internal segmentation. The CHORCE is one of three machines we have been contracted to supply to SNS for the Zion Reactor Vessel Internals Segmentation. The other two machines are the "BMT" machine (in containment and soon to cut) and the "FaST" machine (preparing for testing in our facility). The Zion BMT is based on the "Wall Mill" type of machines that our engineering team has designed and improved on since 1983.

PlantD and the SNS group have previously worked along side each other during the NASA Plum Brook reactor segmentation in 2003. Several of the SNS crew from 2003 are with SNS at Zion, making this project similar to a family reunion!

Below are links to cut sheets for recent machines and equipment we have supplied in support of the Zion Station Decommissioning:

Experts in dismantling and decommissioning of nuclear reactors.

The tools and machines we have designed have been used successfully in nuclear facilities around the world since the early 1980's. Our designers and project managers have been key parts of teams that have taken on some of the most difficult tasks in the nuclear industry. From the early underwater Thermal Shield repairs to the recent dry segmentation of highly irradiated reactor internals, we have been there.

With our background it seemed logical for us to make a concentrated effort at being the specialists for decommissioning nuclear reactors and other large nuclear components.

Why should you consider us? We have the advantage of being a small company. This allows us to move faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than a large company. Our designers get out of their offices and work hands-on with their machines. Our Segmentation and Packaging Plan authors have been field Project Managers. We know of no other company (large or small) that can offer this for you.

Our staff can supply you a Segmentation and Packaging Plan, specify the required tools, design the tools based on lessons learned, fabricate these tools, test these tools on our mockups, and train your technicians or ours. All this can be done in our Chicago facility.

If what you require is outside of our comfort zone, we will set you up with one of the specialists in our network. With our experience we have worked with most of the groups and people in the D&D industry. There is no need for you to take unnecessary risks; our experience can be a resource on your project.

Reactor Decommissioning and Dismantlement History
Because our team members have been involved (design, planning, management) in several reactor internals segmentation's and nuclear reactor decommissioning projects, we often are asked what process was used and where. It seemed logical that we have a list of what processes were used to remove reactor internals, which reactor vessels were segmented or removed intact, and other aspects of nuclear reactor decommissioning and dismantlement. Click here to be taken to a table we have put together.