The Gundremmingen nuclear power plant is currently being decommissioned—just like many others across Germany. This is an extremely complex and year-long undertaking. For our client RWE, we are currently developing the third large-scale system following a large band saw and a pneumatic abrasive blasting system: a wet decontamination system. At present, we have two wet decontamination systems with integrated water treatment in production. In this way, we are increasingly becoming a system supplier for the major energy providers and their decommissioning projects with regard to systems, service, and maintenance work.
The decontamination of radioactive components plays a central role in the dismantling process. In a wet decontamination system, components are cleaned at high pressure or pre-cleaned before further cutting or disassembly. Currently, together with our customer, we are in the project planning and detailed design phase of the system. The wet decontamination system is scheduled to go into operation in summer 2027.
The development and construction of the wet decontamination system NDA002 is divided into two sub-projects: a double wet decontamination cabin and the water treatment unit. Both systems are being produced and assembled separately. Once the water treatment system is completed, the two systems will be connected and will operate as a single unit.
The double wet decontamination cabin, separated by a partition wall, consists of two ground-level wet blasting cabins, each with its own ventilation system including a dehumidifier unit, as well as overhead and wall-mounted slewing cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 2.5 tons. It is precisely planned to fit into the existing structure of the Gundremmingen nuclear power plant and includes access and changing areas (wet/dry), a staging area with enclosure, a 10-ton gantry crane, and high-pressure pumps with 500 bar pressure.
Additionally, we will design the filter unit according to customer specifications. This unit is a complex interaction of multiple raw and clean water tanks (cold/hot, each 2x approx. 6 m³ volume) and the filter module, which forms the heart of the system. The filter unit also includes oil separators, magnetic separators, pumps, pipelines, and agitators, all positioned between the tanks and the filter module.
The entire system will be installed within a containment basin, and all media-contacting parts are made from stainless steel 1.4571. Naturally, we also design and deliver all assembly and maintenance cranes, as well as access platforms and stairways for ongoing servicing of the system.
As a reliable partner in the dismantling of nuclear facilities, we contribute design expertise, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of the unique requirements involved in handling radioactive materials, alongside solid mechanical engineering competence. Our proven capabilities in structural steel construction, crane technology, knowledge and experience in pressure equipment regulations, occupational safety, and plant and pipeline construction make us a trusted technology partner for the industry.
As a small but highly capable medium-sized company on the outskirts of Germany, this is something special: to be an irreplaceable partner in the industry, offering comprehensive expertise. It’s a challenge we take on every day—one we must continually prove and live up to.