Rosatom: Equipment for dismantling industrial facilities

2023: Creation of Cable Cutting Equipment

Specialists Rosatom have created cable cutting equipment designed for decommissioning nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities, as well as industrial dismantling. This was SverdNIIchimmash announced on December 8, 2023.

source = TVEL Rosatom

The diamond cable machine was developed for import substitution within the framework of R&D of the Fuel Company of Rosatom TVEL, which is also an integrator of the Russian nuclear industry for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The production of such equipment in Russia will make it possible to overcome dependence on imported analogues and guarantee the availability on the market not only of the product itself, but also of components, as well as service and diagnostics.

The contractor for the contract under R&D is JSC VNIINM (an enterprise of the Fuel Company of Rosatom TVEL). The development and manufacture of innovative products was organized in Yekaterinburg at the site of SverdNIIkhimmash JSC (part of the Mechanical Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation). As of December 2023, the first of three samples of a diamond cable saw was made, resource tests are being carried out.

The key technological quality of diamond rope saws is the possibility of fragmentation of steel and reinforced concrete structures of a large area and any configuration. Electric actuators and a pneumatic tension system provide incomparably greater life, maintainability and performance compared to hydraulic machines. The diamond rope machine, developed at Rosatom, has automatic electronic safety systems, is easily and quickly mounted on the site (guide racks provide ease of adjustment of the cutting line), has a high starting moment and cutting efficiency. The design of the machine includes programmable electronics with advanced functionality for the operator. Cable saws can be designed and manufactured for customer tasks and sizes, as well as equipped with special accessories and modules.

The development and manufacture of the prototype took about six months, this is an extremely short time. If the project had been implemented outside ROSATOM's contour, it would have taken more than a year. We plan to manufacture three prototypes of a cable diamond saw, conduct tests at VNIINM on radiation contaminated equipment, seasonal tests in winter, and then switch to serial production of diamond cable saws, but taking into account the individual wishes of customers. Russian-made diamond rope saws will become an analogue and a profitable alternative to cable saws of foreign brands that have left the market, "said Eduard Nikitin, director of decommissioning and handling of RAO TVEL JSC.

source = TVEL Rosatom

We cooperate with JSC TVEL and participate in the creation of equipment for radioactive waste management and radiochemical industries. This project was due to strict requirements in terms of product creation, quality and cost. To carry out the work, a team was formed led by a project manager from among the most experienced design managers and specialists. I believe that the product was a success, which gave us invaluable experience and contributed to the development of personnel competencies, "said Alexander Cherepanov, General Director of SverdNIIkhimmash JSC.

Reinforced reinforced concrete slab with metal pipes inside was fragmented in just 10 minutes, for us as performers this is a good indicator. We have facilities where we would use this pneumoelectric equipment. We are ready to consider and sign a contract for the supply of such saws, - stressed Alexander Kondakov.