Mammoet, in collaboration with Orano USA, achieved a milestone in the decommissioning of the Crystal River Unit 3 nuclear reactor in Florida. The project involved the extraction of the 540-tonne reactor vessel (RV) using an innovative process called ‘optimized segmentation.’ Unlike traditional methods that require up to 80 transports for segmented reactor parts, this approach divides the internals underwater based on radioactivity categories (A, B, C, GTCC), optimizing waste repacking.
Mammoet utilized a custom-installed strand jack system to lift and transport the RV in three sections, a first-time implementation of the optimized segmentation method. The team’s familiarity with the facility, combined with early collaboration with Orano, played a crucial role in executing this historic nuclear decommissioning moment. The project resulted in a faster, more cost-effective, and efficient solution, showcasing Mammoet’s expertise in nuclear decommissioning.
Sidney King, Mammoet Project Manager, highlighted the flawless execution of lifts, emphasizing the collaboration’s success. Mammoet has been one of the key players in the nuclear industry since the 1970s, providing heavy lifting and transport services globally. Notably, Mammoet’s team achieved success in the 2016 operation to safely enclose the damaged Chernobyl reactor.
