Handling nuclear waste safely

When handling radioactive waste, safety is COVRA's top priority. That's why the Dutch processing company planned a safety upgrade for its highly automated pressing and transportation system. Cylindrical drums containing radioactive waste are transported through the plant on conveyors and are compressed into flat blocks within a closed cell. Stacked in 200-litre drums, the blocks are then encased in concrete for storage. Should the plant come to a standstill, the data connection for registering the blocks must not be interrupted. For this reason, the Pilz safety solution was integrated into the existing system of office automation and overall control for the roller conveyors. Comprehensive Identification and Access Management (I.A.M.) now ensures added Safety and Security.

For the safety upgrade, Pilz set up three safety zones. The entry zone, press cell and exit zone are each protected by safety fences and safety gates. The access points are protected by the I.A.M. system: anyone wishing to enter a zone authenticates themself on the access authorisation system PITreader card unit using their personal access card. COVRA also uses the digital maintenance safeguarding “Key-in-pocket” system: this prevents unauthorised persons gaining access to the application during maintenance. Once the maintenance work is complete, staff can also leave the safety zone by another door and sign out there. Safety light curtains PSENopt also protect the loading and unloading areas for the waste drums. If a forklift interrupts the light beam, the roller conveyor switches off and restarts automatically when the forklift leaves the protected field. The easy-to-use safety concept protects the various zones from manipulation and unauthorised access.

• Maintenance safeguarding Key-in-pocket system: the digital solution replaces mechanical keys and simplifies processes
• Sustainable integration of safety functions: much of the existing cabling continues to be used
• The safety controller PSS 4000 integrates seamlessly into the existing overall solution

COVRA (Central Organisation for Radioactive Waste) is the only company in the Netherlands with permission to collect, process and store radioactive waste. Organisations such as hospitals, laboratories and nuclear power plants are obliged to dispose of their radioactive waste at COVRA. For this purpose, COVRA maintains a storage and processing plant at its site in the port area of Vlissingen-Oost.