AREVA NP has been selected by the utility E.ON Kernkraft to decontaminate the Grafenrheinfeld nuclear power plant, a pressurized water reactor design, located in Germany.

As part of the end of the reactor's activities, this operation will reduce the radiation level in the reactor pressure vessel, auxiliary systems and piping. This project is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2016.

The decontamination will be executed using to the combination of two AREVA NP techniques: the CORD UV and the AMDA. This operation is based on the progressive injection of chemical products into the reactor's primary circuit.

Once the process is completed, the chemical substances used are decomposed into carbon dioxide and water, leaving behind no additional waste.

This process can be applied to nuclear power plants in operation to reduce the dose level during maintenance activities, and it can also be used as a preparatory measure before decommissioning, significantly reducing the final radioactive waste.

"AREVA's decontamination technology has been already used reliably in over 30 nuclear facilities worldwide, including boiling and pressurized water reactors.

This new contract confirms customer confidence in our decontamination technology," said Michael Cerruti, executive vice-president of Sales for AREVA's Reactors and Services Business Group.