Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Vessel Head and Plenum Removal

After the March 1979 accident, standard procedures to remove the reactor vessel head and plenum could not be used at Three Mile Island Unit 2 because of damage to its core, resulting in higher-than-normal radiation levels and airborne radioactive contamination. A plan that emphasized special precautions to minimize personnel exposure and to preclude the spread of contamination was developed. It encompassed modifications to existing equipment and methods of work, and it relied on remotely controlled operations for the safe removal and storage of the reactor vessel head and plenum. The head was removed and stored in July 1984. The plenum was removed and stored in May 1985.