Engineering and Equipment for Critical Nuclear Operations
The nuclear sector demands uncompromising reliability, material resistance, and qualification discipline.
From harsh chemistries to radioactive environments, processes must be engineered to operate safely over decades.
De Dietrich provides the technologies and methodologies required to support these constraints, enabling operators to run critical chemical, separation, and waste-handling operations with confidence.
Integrated Process Capabilities for Nuclear Environments
De Dietrich delivers a full spectrum of process equipment and engineered solutions tailored to nuclear conditions, covering:
- Reaction and dissolution in corrosive media
- Gas treatment including NOx and HCl scrubbers proven in nuclear sites
- Liquid-liquid extraction for solvent separation
- Solid-liquid separation via centrifuges, nutsche filters-dryers, and vacuum dryers
- All compliant with containment, for example pack-off stations up to OEB 6 for dangerous powders
These systems are designed for chemical resistance, containment integrity, and long-term operational stability — three decisive factors for nuclear users.
Modular and Scalable Solutions for SMR and Nuclear Process Development
The rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) reshapes equipment requirements: units must be compact, modular, testable, and certifiable before deployment. This shift favors suppliers capable of delivering pilotable engineering, not just machines.
PGS teams at De Dietrich design process skids and pilot units that support:
- Early validation of chemical steps linked to fuel-cycle innovations
- Testing of extraction media, slurries, or ion-exchange resins under relevant conditions
- Scalable plant concepts that evolve from lab demonstration to industrial implementation
- Integration of external modules when a project requires expertise outside the group — an approach rarely mastered in the nuclear field
These capabilities enable nuclear stakeholders to de-risk investments, accelerate qualification, and align development timelines with SMR deployment strategies.
Proven Track Record and Recognized Innovation in the Nuclear Sector
Nuclear operators expect evidence, not claims. Over the last decades, De Dietrich has built a sustained presence in the nuclear environment, combining corrosion-resistant equipment design, process engineering expertise, and long-term service capabilities that match the sector’s stringent qualification cycles. Our technologies are not experimental — they are deployed, tested, and improved within demanding industrial contexts.
This historical footprint was formally acknowledged when De Dietrich received the IChemE Nuclear Creativity Award (2014) for the development of specialized glass scrubber columns engineered for Sellafield — a site emblematic of high-complexity nuclear chemistry.
This award validated our capacity to innovate within a conservative industry, where new solutions are accepted only once they have demonstrated reliability, compliance, and operational value.
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This combination of legacy, proven technology, and documented innovation positions De Dietrich as a trusted partner capable of supporting both established nuclear infrastructures and emerging architectures, including SMRs.
Acid and Solvent Recovery for Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear chemical environments generate aggressive, high-value liquids—from concentrated nitric acid to solvent extraction media—that must be recycled efficiently while preserving purity and corrosion safety. De Dietrich designs and manufactures distillation, extraction, and gas-treatment systems in materials suited for nuclear-grade operation, including glass-lined steel, borosilicate glass, and high alloys.
Our solutions support:
- Closed-loop acid management for fuel-cycle chemistry
- Solvent purification and phase separation using mixer-settlers
- NOx and HCl scrubbing units integrated into exhaust treatment trains
By combining material expertise with process engineering, De Dietrich reduces consumption of strategic chemicals, minimizes environmental impact, and strengthens the economic viability of nuclear operations — from legacy plants to next-generation modular units.
Wastewater and Sludge Reduction for Nuclear Facilities
Disposal costs in the nuclear industry scale with mass and moisture. Every percentage of water retained in sludge translates into additional volume to condition, certify, store, and ultimately dispose of. De Dietrich addresses this with pressure-assisted centrifugation technologies capable of achieving exceptionally low residual moisture, even on challenging waste streams.
The HF centrifuge series with PAC® technology enables:
- Moisture levels down to 33–35 wt.% on silicon-based sludges
- Scalable throughput from 60 to 756 kg/h on ion-exchange resins
- Nearly solids-free filtrate, reducing downstream treatment loads
- Predictable scale-up paths for qualification and industrial implementation
These results have been demonstrated in nuclear-adjacent applications, including solar-derived silicon residues and flue-gas treatment ashes, reinforcing the system’s relevance for radioactive sludges.
Containment and Powder Handling for Activated Materials
From fuel-cycle residues to contaminated powders, the nuclear sector requires processes that protect operators and the environment without compromising throughput. De Dietrich integrates containment and pack-off systems directly into filter-dryers and dryers, avoiding fragile interfaces between suppliers.
Key capabilities include:
- Continuous liner or glovebox pack-off, up to OEB 6
- Integrated SMEPAC testing during FAT for containment certification
- Single-supplier, reducing qualification and commissioning complexity
This approach reflects the expectations of nuclear operators: robust, tested, and traceable systems designed to remain in operation for decades.
Agitation for Cementation and Solid Immobilization (Guedu Agitators)
Cementation is a decisive step in nuclear waste management, where solids, binders, and additives must be blended to form stable, long-term matrices. These operations take place in constrained environments, often behind shielding, with little margin for inconsistency.
Agitation in guedu agitaor based pan dryers provide the mixing performance required to ensure uniform, predictable cementation under nuclear conditions.
Key advantages
- Ensures uniform incorporation of powders, liquids, and reagents into cement matrices
- Can be deployed in confined or shielded cells, with optional teleoperation for remote handling
- Proven reliability for waste immobilization processes, where reproducibility and long-term stability are mandatory
Mixers for Fragile Solids
Some nuclear streams involve powders or granular solids that cannot tolerate aggressive mixing. Crystalline sorbents, specialty powders, or activated solids can lose performance if fractured or degraded.
Cylindro-conical screw mixers offer a controlled and gentle agitation method to preserve material integrity while achieving complete batch homogeneity.
Key advantages
- Low-shear mixing maintains particle shape and size, preventing degradation during processing
- Three-dimensional material flow ensures uniform blending without segregation or hotspots
- Compact design fits in restricted nuclear facilities or modular layouts where space and access are limited
Need an improvement of your process in nuclear industry?
Our teams are ready to help you!