Safety Considerations In The Transition From Operation To Decommissioning Of Nuclear Facilities

This report provides information on the management of safety concerns associated with the transition period from operation to decommissioning of nuclear facilities, as well as addressing general and specific issues applicable to different types of nuclear facility. The report supports and extends the information given in safety guides WS-G-2.1 (1999, ISBN 9201025998), WS-G-2.4 (2001, ISBN 920101001X) and WS-G-2.2 (1999, ISBN 9201020996).

Describes the rationale and vision for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The publication identifies the basic principles that nuclear energy systems must satisfy to fulfil their promise of meeting growing global energy demands.

Recent decades have seen a significant increase in the number of decommissioning projects undertaken globally. Decommissioning technologies have advanced, driven by innovations in digitization and robotics, and the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) methodology is now being applied to the decommissioning phase of all types of nuclear facilities. This publication provides practical information and examples of good practices in training personnel for decommissioning activities, based on Member States’ experience, including guidance on the application of SAT methodology. The increasing use of digital and web-based tools to enhance competence development for implementation of decommissioning programmes is also discussed.

This Safety Guide addresses the subject of how to meet the requirements for decommissioning of nuclear power plants and research reactors. It provides guidance to national authorities and operating organizations on the planning and safe management of the decommissioning of such installations.

On the basis of the principles included in the Fundamental Safety Principles, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SF-1, this Safety Requirements publication establishes requirements applicable to the design of nuclear power plants. It covers the design phase and provides input for the safe operation of the power plant. It elaborates on the safety objective, safety principles and concepts that provide the basis for deriving the safety requirements that must be met for the design of a nuclear power plant. Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. Applying the safety principles and concepts; 3. Management of safety in design; 4. Principal technical requirements; 5. General plant design; 6. Design of specific plant systems.

This Safety Guide is intended primarily for use with land based stationary thermal nuclear power plants but it may, in parts, have a wider applicability to other nuclear facilities. It provides recommendations and guidance on the possible format and content of a SAR in support of a request to the State regulatory body for authorization to construct and or operate a nuclear power plant. As such, it contains recommendations on meeting the requirements of Safety guide GS-R-1 "Legal and governmental infrastructure for nuclear, radioactive waste and transport safety" (2000, ISBN 9201008007)

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

"This Safety Guide describes how the licensing process should be applied at the various stages of the lifetime of a nuclear installation, with discussion of topics and required documents to be considered at each stage. Recommendations on the application by a regulatory body of a graded approach in the licensing process are also provided. It also describes the processes that should be undertaken to meet the regulatory and legal requirements in a Member State to authorize the establishment of a nuclear installation and/or initiation of its activities. While this Safety Guide focuses on safety at nuclear installations, it is noted that integration of safety and security aspects should be considered and evaluated by the regulatory body in the licensing process."--Provided by publisher.