In my role as an Associate Nuclear Engineer at Fabrik Nucleaire Systems, Belgium, I was directly involved in overseeing the refurbishment workflow for one of the company's oldest nuclear reactors. I worked alongside a team of engineers to improve the efficiency and safety of the reactor, considering the radiation safety aspect as the top priority.
During the refurbishment process, we carefully adhered to all safety protocols. Part of my task was to ensure that areas with high radiation were properly contained and the radiation levels were maintained as per industry standards using devices like Geiger-Muller counters and dosimeters.
As a result of our efforts, the refurbished plant achieved a 15% increase in energy generation and a significant reduction in still-to-be-degraded waste materials. It was a practical example where scientific knowledge helped transform an underperforming system into a more efficient and safer one.