Unique Project: Cleaning of the Reactor Pressure Vessel at Temelín
At the end of June, we successfully completed a unique project called “Cleaning of the Reactor Pressure Vessel” on the Unit No. 1 of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant. As the name suggests, the project focused on cleaning the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) as well as the floor areas beneath the reactor.
For this project, ŠKODA JS acted as the general contractor, coordinating work with its subcontractors ČEZ Energoservis, Ormonde, and NARRAN.
The main task of ŠKODA JS was to design, in cooperation with ČEZ, an effective cleaning method and then carry out selected parts of the project. Experts from both companies identified two primary cleaning techniques: laser cleaning and high-pressure hot water spraying. The effectiveness of these methods was pre-tested on material samples, and clear success criteria were established before full-scale implementation.
Given the confined spaces involved, it was essential that all cleaning manipulators were equipped with remote control.
The cleaning itself was carried out during a scheduled outage. Before the work began, surface swabs were collected at the designated locations, and after cleaning, follow-up swabs were taken to verify the effectiveness of the process.
The project was divided into several subsections based on accessibility and importance, as shown in the diagram below. For each area, technicians selected the most suitable cleaning method:
Area 1 – RPV: Nozzle area behind the movable biological shield – vacuum cleaning was performed by ŠKODA JS, followed by cleanliness verification of the RPV cylindrical part near the nozzles by the DEKO (decontamination) team of ČEZ Energoservis.
Area 2 – RPV: Support ring of the RPV – cleaned using high-pressure hot water spraying with inhibitor, carried out by ŠKODA JS specialists.
Area 3 – RPV: Cleaned using laser technology, performed by ŠKODA JS. The laser head was mounted on the existing SK-187 manipulator.
Area 4 – Floor of Room GA301: Cleaned using a remotely operated manipulator equipped with rotary nozzles for high-pressure hot water cleaning. Ormonde specialists also cleaned the ventilation ducts in this area.
This project once again confirmed that ŠKODA JS is capable of handling not only standard customer requirements but also highly specific, and unique projects that require designing the entire solution from the real beginning.
A big thank you goes to all ŠKODA JS colleagues involved, as well as our partners from ČEZ and the subcontractor companies, for their excellent collaboration, dedication, and flawless execution.
