Annual report 2009 - Siempelkamp

Oil-Offshore platform – steel scrap for the GERTA
melting operation
Photo: Divulgação Petrobras / ABr
1989 – 2009: 20 years CARLA
The review of the melting plant CARLA after 20 years of operation
has demonstrated that recycling of low contaminated metals
from the operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities is
economically possible. From a 25,000 t (27,558 US tons) molten
mass half was turned into new containers for the storage of
radioactive waste. The other half could be decontaminated to
such degree that it could be used as secondary raw material.
Thus, we saved space for interim and ultimate storage amounting
to 24,000 m3 . Our demand for recycling solutions from foreign
countries is growing. Comprehensive decommissioning projects
in Great Britain, France and Japan will require an economical
waste management.
Recycling: resource-conserving recycling management – with sights on
safety and environment
Already at the end of the 1980s Siempelkamp developed a way to make use of metal
scrap from the operations and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Limited interim
storage facilities and scarce ultimate storage possibilities as well as the thought of
establishing a recycling management in the nuclear industry were the starting points.
The solution is the CARLA melting plant. In connection with the manufacturing
possibilities of the Siempelkamp Foundry, this plant offers unique recycling options.
The process for the metal waste treatment combines safety, ecology and economy
ideally. Waste material is turned into new products for nuclear applications or can be
used as secondary raw material outside the area of nuclear applications as long as the
conditions for clearance are met.
CARLA intermediate product – metal casting
Granulated concrete container manufactured by adding
CARLA recycled granules