The ongoing decommissioning of the Magnox estate is one of the largest nuclear remediation efforts worldwide.
At the Berkeley Magnox power station, the fuel element debris (FED) facility handles various packages of intermediate level waste (ILW). The older commercial cranes were deemed no longer fit-for-purpose, so SCX Special Projects delivered a new mechanical handling solution, with semi-automated operation, to satisfy Berkeley's enhanced safety case.
Magnox Berkeley required a high-integrity handling solution for an Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) import/export facility. The handling system also needed to support the site in its transition from the use of Ductile Cast Iron Containers (DCICs) to steel-lined concrete waste packages.
It was important that the solution satisfied a demanding safety case, including multiple and diverse layers of safety, load arrest and load recovery. It also needed to deliver semi-automated, remote operation to minimise any potential operator exposure.
Supplied via Cavendish Nuclear Limited, SCX Special Projects designed, built, tested and installed two identical 32 tonne nuclear cranes. Each cranes has a twin-hoist lifting solution, a bespoke motorised rotating grapple, plus two MotoSuiveur MS3 load arrest devices, one per hoist
Our mechanical and electrical engineers have significant expertise and specific familiarity with safety case-driven nuclear handling solutions. This helps to keep costs under control and offers much greater assurance on programme delivery schedules.