NUCLEAR PLANT'S TOUGH FLOOR COATING MINIMIZES SPREAD OF RADIOACTIVE
CONTAMINANTS
Keeping concrete floors clean is always an important maintenance
function.
All nuclear plants have radiation safety programs established and
monitored by the federal government. When the floors are kept free of
radioactive contamination, workers may freely access all areas of the
plants without undergoing time-consuming decontamination procedures.
As a result, keeping the main access area of the plant free of this
low-level radioactive material is important for efficient plant operation
and maintenance.
At the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) in Palo, Iowa, both the
turbine building and the reactor building are considered radiation exposure
areas. Workers or visitors to these areas must walk through monitors
upon leaving. When higher-than-acceptable levels of radiation are detected,
individuals are required to follow decontamination procedures.
Because contamination, like dirt, can be picked up by shoes and
tracked, keeping floors clean is one of the ways radiation exposure,
and the need for decontamination, are minimized at the DAEC. However,
floor maintenance is complicated by the damage caused when tools and
equipment are dropped on the floor or dragged across it.
As a result, a properly specified concrete floor coating system
is necessary to protect the underlying concrete substrate and to provide
a smooth surface that is easy to clean. When the DAEC decided to refinish
its floors five years ago, it chose two-part epoxy coating products.
The coatings provide a highgloss, hygienic surface that is hard-wearing
and durable. The abrasion-resistant topcoat offers selfleveling properties
as well as chemical- and impact-resistance.
During scheduled plant-shutdown, the entire 5,000 square feet of
the first floor of the reactor building is wet-mopped at least twice
a day, and dry mopping with the oil-impregnated wipes occurs four or
five times daily. No harsh abrasives are used on the floor and all water
is recycled for re-use by the plant.
The coating system is now being used at the DAEC for the turbine
building, the reactor building and the pump house. Historically, these
areas are repainted every 18 to 36 months. "We are satisfied that
with this coating system, we will not have to recoat these areas for
many years," says the manager.
The Sherwin-Winiams Co., 10-T Prospect Avenue N.W., Cleveland. (abridged)
IMPOMAG January 2002.
TRAVAIL A EFFECTUER PAR LE CANDIDAT
I. COMPREHENSION
Faites un compte-rendu en francais de l'article intitulé
" Nuclear Plant's Tough Floor Coating Minimizes Spread of Radioactive
Contaminants ". (10 points) ( 180 mots environ )
II. EXPRESSION (Répondre en anglais aux 2 questions)
II.1. What does DAEC do to insure safety in their nuclear facility?
(3 points) (about 70 words)
II.2. As future technicians, do you think that safety should be
every plant manager's main
concern Explain your point of view by giving examples and reasons. (7
points)
(about 130 words)
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