The GDES Revanti team at the Cofrentes nuclear power plant recently completed a unique and innovative project for its client Iberdrola Generación Nuclear SA. The project involved the use of a laser system to clean all the welds on both the 125 t crane and the trolley in the fuel building of the Cofrentes nuclear power plant.

The location of the crane in the fuel building above the plant’s fuel storage pools meant that this operation was critical in terms of FME (Foreign Material Exclusion) and any conventional cleaning technique, such as abrasive blasting or chemical pickling, would not be suitable.

The laser system used for this project sublimated the material to be removed (layers of coating, primer and finish over each weld), thus generating no waste and preventing any FME incident in the critical area of the Nuclear Power Plant.

Thanks to this service, 100% of the welds on the crane and the trolley were inspected to confirm their structural suitability by means of liquid penetrant testing. This is an inspection that must be carried out every five years to maintain the welds in perfect operating condition, meeting all the safety standards required by the rigorous nuclear industry.