Nuclear Decommissioning: Planning, Execution and International Experience

Ed. M. Laraia; ISBN: 978-0-85709-115-4; 850 p.Once a nuclear installation has reached the end of its safe and economical operational lifetime, the need for its decommissioning arises. Different strategies can be employed for nuclear decommissioning, based on the evaluation of particular hazards and their attendant risks, as well as on the analysis of costs of clean-up and waste management. This allows for decommissioning either soon after permanent shutdown, or perhaps a long time later, the latter course allowing for radioactivity levels to drop in any activated or contaminated components. It is crucial for clear processes and best practices to be applied in decommissioning such installations and sites, particular where any significant health and environmental risks exist.This book critically reviews the nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies applicable to nuclear power plants and other civilian nuclear facilities. Part one focuses on the fundamental planning issues in starting a nuclear decommissioning process, from principles and safety regulations, to financing and project management. Part two covers the execution phase of nuclear decommissioning projects, detailing processes and technologies such as dismantling, decontamination, and radioactive waste management, as well as environmental remediation, site clearance and reuse. Finally, part three details international experience in the decommissioning of nuclear applications, including the main nuclear reactor types and nuclear fuel cycle facilities, as well as small nuclear facilities and legacy nuclear waste sites.
Critically reviews nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies applicable to nuclear power plants and other civilian nuclear facilities
Discusses the fundamental planning issues in starting a nuclear decommissioning process
Considers the execution phase of nuclear decommissioning projects, including dismantling, decontamination, and radioactive waste management, as well as environmental remediation, site clearance and reuse.Introduction to nuclear decommissioning: definitions and history
Part I: Planning: fundamental aspects of starting a nuclear decommissioning process
Overview of nuclear decommissioning principles and approaches
Nuclear decommissioning policy, infrastructure, strategies and project planning
Financing and economics of nuclear facility decommissioning
Characterisation of radioactive materials in redundant nuclear facilities: key issues for the decommissioning plan
Managing the transition from operation to decommissioning of a nuclear facility
Nuclear decommissioning project organization, management and human resources
Public engagement and stakeholder consultation in nuclear decommissioning projects
Radiological protection in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities: safety, regulations and licensing
Nuclear facility design and operation to facilitate decommissioning: lessons learnedPart II: Execution: nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies, radioactive waste management, site rehabilitation and cleanup
Safe enclosure and entombment strategies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Dismantling and demolition processes and technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Decontamination processes and technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Remote operation and robotics technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Radioactive waste management in nuclear decommissioning projects
Environmental remediation and restoration technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Site clearance and licence termination in nuclear decommissioning projects
Reuse and redevelopment of decommissioned nuclear sites: strategies and lessons learnedPart III: International experience: nuclear decommissioning applications and case studies
Decommissioning of Western-type light-water nuclear reactors (LWRs)
Decommissioning of Russian-type water-cooled water-moderated nuclear reactors (WWERs)
Decommissioning of gas-cooled nuclear reactors (GCRs)
Decommissioning of nuclear fuel cycle facilities
Decommissioning of small nuclear facilities: industrial, medical and research facilities
Decommissioning of legacy nuclear waste sites: Dounreay, UK
Decommissioning of legacy nuclear waste sites: Idaho National Laboratory, USA
Information management for nuclear decommissioning projects