European Nuclear Society
e-news Issue 38 Autumn 2012
http://www.euronuclear.org/e-news/e-news-38/gammatracer.htm

Project news contract SOGIN Garigliano, Italy

GammaTRACER/ShortLINK system for decommissioning of the Italian Garigliano nuclear plant

The Garigliano NPP, located in the south west of Italy, was in commercial operation from 1964 to 1978, but due to heavy costs it shut down in 1982. After the Italian government’s referendum in 1988, a decision was taken to stop nuclear electricity generation in the country. All four Italian NPPs, which had previously been operated by ENEL, were handed over to SOGIN Nuclear Plant Management Company for all operational activities regarding the dismantling, decommissioning and site restoration of the plant.

After finalisation of the preparatory works, the Garigliano site entered the third phase of decommissioning in 2009. After demonstrations and tests that were performed in 2007 at the site, the advantages, easy operation, flexibility and mobile use of the GammaTRACER/ShortLINK system convinced the operators of its efficiency. For such tasks, which are characterised by the frequently changing scenarios typical of a radiological incident, it is important to know quickly evolving gamma radiation levels in order to protect operational staff. The GammaTRACER/ShortLINK system will especially be used when the earth works begin. Following a tender procedure in 2011, a contract was awarded for seven GammaTRACER XL2 radio probes and a new display-alarm unit mounted in a weather-tight casing suitable for outside operation. All data is transmitted via a ShortLINK radio module to the receiver station and visualised on a laptop, including maps of specific locations.

All components can be fixed on a tripod and are powered by the internal GammaTRACER battery, which under such conditions can operate autonomously for about six months (without display/alarm up to ten years). The system was supplied in May 2011 and became operational in June. The actual decommissioning procedures will continue until 2016. The system’s operating profile provides a benchmark for other NPPs for which similar procedures are scheduled.

Garigliano nuclear power plant reactor building in 1970, to be decommissioned until 2016