Engineers at a nuclear power
station in Dumfriesshire are
using electric-operated
pedestrian tugs to assist in the
movement of nuclear flasks, a critical
stage in the decommissioning of the
site. The tugs have provided a cost
effective solution, moving flasks in
confined spaces and reducing the
risk of handlingrelated
injuries.

Chapelcross, a
four-reactor nuclear
power station with eight
30MW turbines, has been
undergoing
decommissioning since
2004.Magnox North is
responsible for day-today
operation of the site
under contract to the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority.

Two MasterMover MT20/1500
pedestrian tugs are used in two
different reactor chambers to pull
heavy nuclear flasks from reactors to
flask handling bays. The flasks, which
contain spent nuclear fuel, act as
shipping containers for transporting
the active nuclear materials.

The MasterTug can pull, push and
steer wheeled loads up to 15,000 kg,
sufficient to move flask and
bogie along guided
rails. The MT20 gets
the traction it needs
using a coupling
system to transfer
load weight to the
drive wheel.

MasterMover devised
a special coupling system
between the MT20 and flask bogie,
which enables the machine to be
connected and disconnected safely.