Method of cutting and removing nuclear reactor

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of cutting and removing a nuclear reactor which includes the pressure-feeding of a grouting material into a pressure vessel and to peripheral members outside the pressure vessel so as to integrate and solidify them, and the cutting of the structure starting with the outer periphery of the pressure vessel. When the cutting operation is carried out, the present invention preferably uses a wire saw having diamond grains on the surface thereof, and further performs double cutting by the use of a preceding cutting edge and a cutting groove width adjustment cutting edge when the cutting operation is made. In this way, the pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor can be dismantled and removed safely and efficiently. This invention can also include the packing of a cement grouting material or a synthetic resin material into the reactor, covering the outer periphery of the reactor with a concrete, cutting the reactor into blocks starting with its outer peripheral portion with a wire saw using diamond beads and carrying out the blocks, and also the packing of a cement grouting material or a synthetic resin material into the reactor, plasma-cutting the outer portion of the reactor, then cutting the inside of the reactor into blocks with a wire saw using diamond beads, and carrying out the blocks, in order to cut and remove the nuclear reactor. Advantages of this invention include the cutting of the reactor in a stable manner, and the reduction of the wear of the wire saw grains.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.