Facilities for sorting low-level radioactive residues

In facilities for sorting low-level radioactive waste from the operation or decommissioning of nuclear facilities, the waste can be sorted manually according to specified criteria, e.g. groups of substances or combustible and non-combustible. Sorting is carried out, for example, by means of a sorting table, to which waste drums can be connected via discharge positions, or a self-contained sorting box with feed opening and discharge positions.

Further equipment such as presses, drum dryers or conveyor systems to other post-treatment or measuring equipment can be connected to the sorting equipment.

Equipment

  • Manipulators or glove boxes with end position control

  • Remote handling tools

  • Shielding devices

  • Conveyor belts for further transport of the waste

  • Feeding and discharge positions with flaps

  • Ventilation systems to ensure directional air flows

  • Drum docking systems

  • Airlock systems (double-lid airlocks, small parts airlocks)

  • Dose rate monitoring

  • Camera surveillance

  • Footboard for ergonomic access to the sorting stations

  • Safety limit switches or light barriers for monitoring interventions in systems with drives within the sorting device

  • Electrical, control and measurement technology

  • Plant control and monitoring

Scope of services

  • Concept, design and licensing planning

  • Basic and detail engineering including 3D planning

  • Design and manufacturing planning

  • Material procurement

  • Manufacturing, delivery and assembly

  • Commissioning and personnel training

  • Quality assurance and final documentation

  • Service and maintenance

Additional equipment/design

Connection to other waste treatment facilities (e.g. presses, drum lidding facilities, dryers) e.g. via roller conveyors, chain conveyors etc.

References

  • Sorting cell at the Biblis nuclear power plant

  • Sorting boxes for the incinerator of the Leningrad nuclear power plant

  • Conversion and modernisation of the sorting box for radioactive waste for Nuclear Engineering Seibersdorf, Austria

  • Solid waste sorting and packaging facility for the Changjiang nuclear power plant, China

  • Sorting table with supply and exhaust air device for the Greifswald nuclear power plant