Quehanna Site Facility Photo Galleries
Hot Cells Gallery, Page 2

Hot cell structure prior to cell demolition. This picture shows the front of the hot cell structure prior to cell demolition. Bluegrass Bit Company Inc. was contracted to segment the hot cell structure into manageable size blocks. They are using a diamond wire saw to perform the work.
Removing isolation rooms. In a matter of a couple of weeks the isolation rooms leading into the cells have been removed. This picture shows the isolation room to Cell 4 remains next to where the isolation rooms to Cells 2 and 3 were removed.
Filtration units reduce dust levels. Plastic, water, and HEPA filtration units are used to reduce dust levels. This was done to reduce the potential for any residual radioactivity from becoming airborne during the cutting.
Initial cuts into cell structure. The initial cuts have been made into some of the actual cell structure as well. The main cell structure is made from a high-density concrete. In spite of the high-density concrete, the diamond wire saw has not had any trouble making the necessary cuts.
A crane lifts away a portion of the cell structure. Each piece is rigged to a crane after it is cut free from the cell structure. The crane safely places the piece of concrete at a location where it can be moved to a staging area.
A crane lifts away a portion of the cell structure. This particular piece of concrete was removed from the overhead of the doorway leading into Cell 1. The crane was also used to provide us with an approximate weight. Blocks have varied in weight anywhere from one to ten tons.
A forklift is used to move concrete blocks. Once the crane has the blocks securely on the floor, a heavy-duty forklift is used to handle the blocks. The blocks and the forklift are checked for radiation throughout the process. This is done to prevent the spread of contamination into other areas of the building that the forklift drives through.
Cleaning up post-decontamination concrete dust and debris. When removed, the blocks are radiologically surveyed and then placed into a decontamination area designed to prevent the spread of contamination. All paint is removed from the blocks using various tooling, and any areas of elevated radiation are chipped off and collected for proper disposal at an approved radioactive waste facility. Here you see two workers cleaning up concrete dust and debris following some decontamination efforts.

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