Dismantling of JPDR internals using underwater plasma arc cutting technique operated by robotic manipulator

Abstract

The Japan Power Demonstration Reactor (JPDR) Decommissioning Program, functioning since 1981, is making steady progress and has been producing useful data for future decommissioning of commercial power reactors. A superior cutting performance with remote control technology was required to minimize occupational radiation exposure on dismantling of highly activated and complex-shaped steel structures. For this purpose, an underwater plasma arc cutting technique and a robotic manipulator system have been developed. These were successfully used to dismantle some JPDR internals as the first step toward dismantling the JPDR components. Various useful data such as manpower and radiation exposure to workers have been collected through this dismantling activity. This article briefly describes the results of the dismantling works for some JPDR internals.