Valleys firm playing vital role at site of Chernobyl disaster
A VALLEYS manufacturing firm is playing a crucial role in the longterm operation to make safe the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Pontypool-based Flamgard Calidair has developed innovative fire and shut off dampers to the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement, a €1.5bn multinational engineering project which is due to be installed before Christmas.
The Chernobyl New Safe Confinement is a half-cylinder shaped structure that will be the world’s largest moving building when completed. The unique creation is designed to facilitate monitoring and demolition of the previous containment building following the 1986 disaster while securing the remaining radioactive material.
The arched building will simply be rolled into position over the existing site before being sealed up.
Despite the construction of a concrete sarcophagus in the months immediately following the disaster, the site still houses highly radioactive material and attempts to work on its demolition are challenging.
The multinational project is predicted to take 10 years from concept to completion and to last 100.
Flamgard’s CEO Lee Bramald said: “The story of Chernobyl is one of history’s most tragic. But while the neighbouring town of Pripyat is still an unoccupied ghost town exclusion zone, there is some hope for the future of the Chernobyl site with this project.
“In engineering terms, there can be few live projects in the world right now that are as important and as ambitious as the New Safe Confinement.
“It’s not just a shell either, there are entry points, engineering areas and access to the site inside, designed to facilitate monitoring and demolition of the disaster site.
“This is where Flamgard’s dampers come into play, protecting these rooms and ventilation zones/ducts to minimise the risk of damage should an incident such as a fire or further explosion occur.”
Flamgard secured R&D grants from the Welsh Government and support from UK Export Finance for its part in the project.
Mr Bramald added: “It’s been a real journey to this point and we’ve gained invaluable experience. We went to the site and were within 50 meters of Reactor 4 which caused the incident. We developed the product with Swansea University where we explored alternative materials which could endure high temperatures.
“It’s been a real team effort from Wales, with all of our 60 staff working to help protect the area after one of the world’s largest and most infamous disasters.”