GENTILLY-2 Heat Transport System Chemical Decontamination

Abstract

Because the dose rates at Gentilly-2 around the reactor (reactor face components, feeder pipes and headers) are 5 to 7 times higher than any other CANDU-6, the refurbishment of G2, will necessitate the prior decontamination of these components. Hydro-Québec is in the middle of a decontamination project that includes artefact collection, oxide characterisation, decontamination processes qualification, application engineering, etc., that will lead to the application of a chemical decontamination process in the spring of 2011, before commencing the reactor retube activities. This paper provides details on the work and results achieved so far, the planned application strategy and the steps that lay ahead.