Maine Yankee Reactor VesselRemoval & Barge Transport

U.S. Department of EnergyTEC Working Group

April 4-5, 2005Phoenix, Arizona

Ted Feigenbaum

Maine Yankee President & CEO

The Maine Yankee Reactor Pressure

Vessel Project

Ingredients for Success

Solid Planning +

Flawless Implementation +

Extensive Communication =

. . . Success

The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) internals, before segmentation. 2001

The segmented RPV internals. 2001

The arrival of the RPV shipping container cover at Maine Yankee. May 2001

Vessel lift from Containment for transfer to the shipping container. August 2002

Vessel transfer to the shipping container. August 2002

The empty RPV shipping container and skid in the back yard. 2001

The shipping container, staged in the Containment equipment hatch. May 2002

RPV Package

NORMAL DENSITY

NORMAL DENSITY

CONCRETE

CONCRETE

Overall Length 35' 8"Outside Diameter 19' 1"

Total Shipping Weight 1175 tons

Shell Thickness 3"Top & Bottom Plate 4"

• Shell Material: SA-516 Grade 70 Carbon Steel

• Design Code: ASME Section VIII Division II, used as guide

LOW DENSITY CONCRETE

REACTOR INTERNALSNOT SHOWN

TOP PLATE (4 INCHES) TOP SHIELDING (2 INCHES)SUPPLEMENTAL

NOZZLE PLUG

HOLLOW RING

CONTAINER CYLINDER(3 INCHES)35

'-8"

19'-1"BOTTOM PLATE (4 INCHES)

LOW DENSITY CONCRETE

SUPPLEMENTAL AXIALSHIELDING

The RPV package in the Maine Yankee back yard. November 2002

Planning

• Established a dedicated project team• Coordinated activities• Developed contingencies including

emergency resources en route• Closely monitored water levels in Savannah

River• Met all federal/state requirements for RPV

package and shipment

Implementation

• Established clear command and control• Set “go-no go” limits, especially for weather

and water• Put in place Marine Safety Zone• Shipment accompanied by two tugs at all

times• Experienced rad tech on board as well as crew

with rad and hazardous materials training

Communication

• Open, honest, early, and often – no surprises• Message: major milestone; considerable experience;

all requirements met; package Class C or less• Developed information packet• Stakeholders included: Federal/State/local officials,

media, fishermen, and neighbors (Community Advisory Panel)

• Coordinated regularly with Duratek• Sent advance team – RP and Public Affairs – to

Charleston, SC

Arrival of the transport equipment for vessel transfer to the Maine Yankee barge slip. April 2003

RPV package transfer from the back yard to the barge slip by heavy haul transporter. May 3, 2003

The RPV package on the barge, ready for shipment. May 5, 2003

Site workers, media, and others gathered at the barge slip to watch the loaded barge depart. 2:00PM May 6, 2003

Onlookers waited for the tide to reach the optimum level for the barge to depart. 2:30 PM May 6, 2003

The departure of the barge from Maine Yankee. 3:00 PM May 6, 2003

RPV Barge Transportation Route

BARNWELL

MAINE YANKEE

• The water transit route started at the Plant's barge slip and ended at the DOE’s Savannah River Site, approximately 1,200 miles.

• The package then moved by heavy haul transport 22 miles to the Barnwell disposal site.

The barge in Hampstead, North Carolina. May 15, 2003

Arrival of the barge at the DOE Savannah river site. June 2003

The RPV package during its 22-mile trip by heavy haul transporter to the disposal site in Barnwell, South Carolina. June 2003

Transport of the package into the trench for burial at the Barnwell site. June 2003

The RPV package in the trench at Barnwell. The ends of the skid were cut off for burial. June 2003

Lessons Learned• Start planning and communication early• Establish a dedicated team with clear lines of

authority• Bring in experienced people/talent• Coordination among team members and stakeholders

is key• Think of the “what ifs” and develop contingencies• Set “go-no go” limits and abide by them• Communicate actively with stakeholders. Know

everyone is comfortable with your plan before transporting the package