DABKO research project off to a good start

The research project DABKO is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the funding program “Research for the Dismantling of Nuclear Facilities” (FORKA). In the DABKO project, the Institute of Numerical Methods and Informatics in Civil Engineering (IIB) is working together with the Institute of Nuclear Physics at the Technical University of Darmstadt, the engineering service provider AFRY, TÜV SÜD ET and the associated project partner BGE (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung).

Together, they are developing innovative processes for the dismantling of nuclear power plants and subsequent final disposal based on Building Information Modelling (BIM), the game engine Unity and optimisation algorithms. On the part of the IIB, Benedikt Kandler , Pascal Mosler , and Christian-Dominik Thiele are involved in DABKO.

Background

In nuclear power plants, the so-called biological shield – a massive reinforced concrete structure – intercepts the neutron radiation emitted by the fuel rods during energy production. Otherwise, this neutron radiation is a hazard to humans and the environment. During the dismantling of a nuclear power plant, the biological shield is a particular focus of attention because the atoms inside the shield were activated by the neutron radiation and thus emit radioactive radiation themselves. As a result, a biological shield cannot be decontaminated, but must be dismantled at great expense, packed in containers and sent for final disposal.

Diverse tasks

The IIB is currently developing an algorithm to cut the biological shield into precisely fitting pieces in a simulation. The pieces are then placed in containers. The goal is to need as few containers as possible, as this will minimise the costs for final disposal. In this large “puzzle”, additional boundary conditions such as the maximum weight of a container, the statics during dismantling, the currently technically possible dismantling methods and the final storage criteria of the later filled container must be taken into account.

New insights

On 20 April, all project participants were guests of RWE Power AG at the Emsland nuclear power plant near the town of Lingen. There, they presented the progress of the project and exchanged ideas about cooperation possibilities. Afterwards, they had an exclusive guided tour through the control area of the nuclear power plant. A special highlight was the unobstructed view into the reactor pool. A short time later, Benedikt Kandler and Pascal Mosler took part in the “KERNthemen” seminar in Dresden. At the seminar, they were able to make valuable contacts and learn about current research projects in the field of nuclear technology.

The IIB team is pleased about the good start of the research project and looks forward to the coming months with excitement. The IIB is particularly delighted about the committed student assistants who support the team with a great deal of expertise and motivation.