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.
Table of Contents
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Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy
Preface
Dedication
Chapter 1: Introduction to nuclear decommissioning: definitions and history
Abstract:
1.1 Semantics
1.2 Definitions
1.3 Reasons for publishing this book
1.4 Planning for decommissioning
1.5 Execution
1.6 International experience
1.7 Conclusions
Part I: Planning: fundamental aspects of starting a nuclear decommissioning process
Chapter 2: Overview of nuclear decommissioning principles and approaches
Abstract:
2.1 The scale of the decommissioning industry
2.2 What is decommissioning?
2.3 Reasons for final shutdown
2.4 The no-action baseline
2.5 History and evolution
2.6 Responsibilities and interests of parties involved in decommissioning
2.7 Overview of technical and nontechnical aspects relevant to decommissioning
2.8 Future trends
2.9 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 3: Nuclear decommissioning policy, infrastructure, strategies and project planning
Abstract:
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Decommissioning policy
3.3 Factors affecting decommissioning strategy
3.4 Options for decommissioning
3.5 The planning process
3.6 Challenges and lessons learned
3.7 Future trends
3.8 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 4: Financing and economics of nuclear facility decommissioning
Abstract:
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Nuclear decommissioning cost estimating and financing
4.3 Recent experience in decommissioning
4.4 Funding schemes
4.5 Challenges and lessons learned
4.6 Future trends
4.7 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 5: Characterisation of radioactive materials in redundant nuclear facilities: key issues for the decommissioning plan
Abstract:
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Characterisation objectives
5.3 The radionuclide inventory
5.4 Stages in the characterisation process
5.5 Characterisation methods
5.6 Equipment and measurement techniques for characterising wastes
5.7 Hazardous materials
5.8 Physical characterisation
5.9 Economic issues
5.10 Challenges and lessons learned
5.11 Future trends
5.12 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 6: Managing the transition from operation to decommissioning of a nuclear facility
Abstract:
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Objectives of the transition period
6.3 Strategic aspects
6.4 Management and administrative aspects
6.5 Implementation aspects
6.6 Challenges and lessons learned
6.7 Sources of further information
Chapter 7: Nuclear decommissioning project organization, management and human resources
Abstract:
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Organization responsible for decommissioning
7.3 Responsibilities, qualifications and training
7.4 Contractors versus operational staff
7.5 Management of change
7.6 Challenges and lessons learned
7.7 Future trends
7.8 Sources of further information
Chapter 8: Public engagement and stakeholder consultation in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
8.1 Introduction
8.3 Stakeholders relevant to the decommissioning process
8.4 Identifying stakeholders
8.5 The Dounreay low-level waste-disposal facility
8.6 Factors that may influence stakeholder involvement in decommissioning
8.7 How to handle stakeholders
8.8 Challenges and lessons learned
8.9 Future trends
8.10 Sources of further information and advice
8.12 Appendix: list of abbreviations
Chapter 9: Radiological protection in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities: safety, regulations and licensing
Abstract:
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Personnel health and safety issues (ALARA)
9.3 Environmental protection
9.4 Risk prevention and decommissioning preparation
9.5 National and international guidance
9.6 The licensing process for decommissioning
9.7 Challenges and lessons learned
9.8 Future trends
Chapter 10: Nuclear facility design and operation to facilitate decommissioning: lessons learned
Abstract:
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Project factors relevant to design for decommissioning
10.3 Physical features and practice to facilitate decommissioning
10.4 Application of lessons learned: practical guidance
10.5 Challenges and future trends
10.6 Sources of further information and advice
10.7 Acknowledgement
Part II: Execution: nuclear decommissioning processes and technologies, radioactive waste management, site rehabilitation and cleanup
Chapter 11: Safe enclosure and entombment strategies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Definition of safe enclosure and entombment
11.3 Examples for deferred dismantling strategies (safe enclosure)
11.4 Examples for entombment
11.5 Reasons for selecting the deferred dismantling option
11.6 Preparatory activities
11.7 Management of a safe enclosure/entombment period
11.8 National approaches and international guidance
11.9 Challenges and lessons learned
11.10 Future trends
11.11 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 12: Dismantling and demolition processes and technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Thermal cutting techniques
12.3 Mechanical cutting techniques
12.4 Factors affecting selection of cutting processes and technology
12.5 Cutting versus intact handling of large components
12.6 Demolition of buildings
12.7 Application of specific cutting techniques: pros and cons
12.8 Challenges and lessons learned
12.9 Emerging techniques and future trends
12.10 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 13: Decontamination processes and technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Why and when to decontaminate
13.3 Decontamination of metals
13.4 Decontamination of building surfaces
13.5 Factors affecting selection of decontamination processes and technology
13.6 Application of specific decontamination techniques: pros and cons
13.7 Challenges and lessons learned
13.8 Emerging techniques and future trends
13.9 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 14: Remote operation and robotics technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Remote operation and robotics: definitions and principles
14.3 Development and application of remotely operated and robotics technologies in decommissioning
14.4 Challenges and lessons learned
14.5 Future trends
14.6 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 15: Radioactive waste management in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Spent fuel removal as a prerequisite to decommissioning
15.3 Airborne, waterborne and solid waste from decommissioning: amounts and characterization
15.4 Ventilation and filtration requirements for airborne waste
15.5 Management of liquid waste including decontamination solutions
15.6 Solid waste characterization and segregation for onward processing
15.7 Recycling/reuse and clearance processes
15.8 Waste management and disposal in decommissioning projects
15.9 Challenges and lessons learned
15.10 Future trends
15.11 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 16: Environmental remediation and restoration technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Environmental restoration process
16.3 Types of site remediation techniques and technologies applicable in nuclear decommissioning
16.4 Ex situ remediation techniques and technologies
16.5 In situ treatment technologies
16.6 Remediation of contaminated groundwater
16.7 Disposal of radioactive wastes from remediation
16.8 Challenges
16.9 Lessons learned
16.10 Future trends
16.11 Conclusions
Chapter 17: Site clearance and licence termination in nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Regulatory approaches for site clearance and licence termination
17.3 A process for site clearance and licence termination
17.4 Challenges and lessons learned
17.5 Future trends
Chapter 18: Reuse and redevelopment of decommissioned nuclear sites: strategies and lessons learned
Abstract:
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Site redevelopment as an integral part of a facility's lifecycle
18.3 Early planning for redevelopment
18.4 Policy issues in planning for redevelopment
18.5 Management issues
18.6 Technical issues
18.7 Social issues
18.8 Operating experience in reuse of decommissioned sites
18.9 The non-nuclear sector
18.10 Future trends
Part III: International experience: nuclear decommissioning applications and case studies
Chapter 19: Decommissioning of Western-type light-water nuclear reactors (LWRs)
Abstract:
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Types of materials and decommissioning issues
19.3 Decommissioning technologies for major components of light-water reactors (LWRs)
19.4 Specific LWR reactor vessel (RV) internals segmentation experience in the USA
19.5 Specific LWR RV disposition experience in the USA
19.6 Major components dismantling
19.7 Decommissioning technologies for LWR buildings and structures
19.8 Site remediation and reuse in the USA
19.9 Challenges and lessons learned
19.10 Future trends
Chapter 20: Decommissioning of Russian-type water-cooled water-moderated nuclear reactors (WWERs)
Abstract:
20.1 Introduction
20.2 WWER-specific features relevant to decommissioning
20.3 Planning and implementation of WWER decommissioning
20.4 Decommissioning technologies for WWER activated components (RPV and internals)
20.5 Decommissioning technologies for WWER building structures
20.6 Decommissioning waste (material) management
20.7 Challenges and lessons learned
20.9 Appendix
Chapter 21: Decommissioning of gas-cooled nuclear reactors (GCRs)
Abstract:
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Types of materials and aspects of their decommissioning
21.3 Decommissioning strategies for gas-cooled reactors (GCRs)
21.4 Decommissioning technologies for GCR containment components
21.5 Application of particular techniques to GCR decommissioning projects
21.6 Challenges and lessons learned
21.7 Future trends
21.8 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 22: Decommissioning of nuclear fuel cycle facilities
Abstract:
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Overview of nuclear fuel cycle facilities
22.3 Decommissioning strategies and plans
22.4 Decommissioning phases
22.5 Specific issues in decommissioning of NFC facilities
22.6 Decommissioning techniques for NFC facilities
22.7 Demolition techniques
22.8 Challenges and lessons learned
22.9 Future trends
22.10 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 23: Decommissioning of small nuclear facilities: industrial, medical and research facilities
Abstract:
23.1 Introduction
23.2 Types of facilities
23.3 Planning and management
23.4 Application of particular techniques
23.5 Waste management
23.6 Challenges and lessons learned
23.7 Future trends
23.8 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 24: Decommissioning of legacy nuclear waste sites: Dounreay, UK
Abstract:
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Decommissioning programme
24.3 High-hazard decommissioning projects
24.4 High-alpha-contaminated facilities decommissioning
24.5 Pond decommissioning
24.6 Fuel production and reprocessing facilities decommissioning
24.7 Cells and laboratories decommissioning
24.8 Legacy waste facilities
24.9 Fuels management
24.10 Infrastructure decommissioning
24.11 Waste management
24.12 Environmental restoration
24.13 Future challenges
Chapter 25: Decommissioning of legacy nuclear waste sites: Idaho National Laboratory, USA
Abstract:
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Types of materials and decommissioning issues
25.3 Waste retrieval and decontamination processes
25.4 Application of appropriate decommissioning technologies
25.5 Environmental restoration and site clearance: case studies
25.6 Challenges and lessons learned
25.7 Future trends
25.8 Sources of further information and advice
Chapter 26: Information management for nuclear decommissioning projects
Abstract:
26.1 Introduction
26.2 Importance of information management in decommissioning
26.3 Key decommissioning information
26.4 Records and information management and preservation
26.5 Knowledge management in decommissioning
26.6 Challenges and lessons learned
26.7 Future trends
26.8 Sources of further information and advice
Index
