Civil Engineering Design For Decommissioning Of Nuclear Installations

35 9.2 TYpical PWR Station Layout 36 9.3 Regions of Highest Radiological Hazard 38 9.4 Decommissioning Scenarios 40 9.5 Existing Structural Features of a PWR which may aid Decommissioning 42 9.6 Structural Features that might be introduced into Future PWR Stations to aid Decommissioning 43 10. REFERENCES 44 11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 45 12. TABLES AND FIGURES 45 APPENDIX A - SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 98 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report describes the work carried out by Taylor Woodrow Construction Limited (!WC) in a study aimed at identifying features Which may be incorporated at the design stage of future nuclear power plants to facilitate their eventual decommissioning and, in so dOing, promote economic and radiological benefits at the decommissioning stage. 1.2 For the purposes of this study, decommissioning of a nuclear facility means those measures taken at the end of the facility's operating life to remove it from the site and restore the site to green field conditions, and, While so doing, ensure the continued protection of the public from any residual radioactivity or other potential hazards present in or emanating from the facility. The overall decommissioning process involves eventual dismantling and demolition and may also include, Where possible and appropriate, the intermediate steps of renewal and refurbishing.

Cost estimation for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities can vary considerably in format, content and practice both within and across countries. These differences may have legitimate reasons but make the process of reviewing estimates complicated and the estimates themselves difficult to defend. Hence, the joint initiative of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC) was undertaken to propose a standard itemisation of decommissioning costs either directly for the production of cost estimates or for mapping estimates onto a standard, common structure for purposes of comparison. This report updates the earlier itemisation published in 1999 and takes into account experience accumulated thus far. The revised cost itemisation structure has sought to ensure that all costs within the planned scope of a decommissioning project may be reflected. The report also provides general guidance on developing a decommissioning cost estimate, including detailed advice on using the structure.

This report provides guidance on the planning for decommissioning and on the provision of relevant features at the design and construction stages of nuclear power plants. Most of the information presented is equally applicable, however, to planning and implementing the decommissioning of research reactors and prototype reactors. The report will be useful in the context of backfitting and refurbishment of existing facilities.

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

At a time when many older facilities are being decommissioned and many more are undergoing major retrofits to extend their lives, there is a wealth of information emerging to guide the design of new facilities. In this publication, the most important lessons learned in recent years are examined.

Proceedings of sessions of the ASCE National Convention, held in Nashville, Tennessee, 1988. Sponsored by the Energy Division of ASCE. This collection contains 17 papers that describe opportunities for civil engineers in resolving apparent conflicts between needs for energy generation and environmental acceptability. Papers examine the decommissioning of nuclear facilities with regard to risk assessment in nuclear and hazardous waste plants and environmental effects; several case studies are presented. Other papers assess current trends in resource recovery technology and describe municipal energy recovery systems.