LD-SAFE

The decommissioning of a power reactor can take up to several decades after it ceases its operation. As a result, the EU supports innovations that improve existing technologies for dismantling, risk characterisation and assessment, on-site waste management and environmental remediation. Existing conventional cutting techniques result in limited effectiveness. During the last decade, laser cutting technology emerged as a promising alternative for the segmentation of the reactor pressure vessel and internals. The EU-funded LD-SAFE project will confirm the laser cutting technology for the dismantling of the most critical components of nuclear reactors. It will demonstrate the capabilities of a flexible laser cutting solution that meets the key technical challenges in dismantling, assessing its environmental and safety impacts and proving the economic advantages of its use.

Duration: 1 July 2020 - 30 June 2024