Status Of The Decommissioning Of Nuclear Facilities Around The World

Most countries use or handle radioactive material in some manner, whether in nuclear power plants or nuclear fuel cycle facilities, medical research laboratories or manufacturing plants. This publication summarises the decommissioning activities undertaken around the world, as well as considering those that are currently under way and those that will need to be performed in the future. The aim of the book is to assess future levels of resources that will be needed to support decommissioning activities around the world and to identify issues that may need to be addressed. The book will be of interest to regulators, engineers and planners as a basis for developing a regulatory infrastructure and implementing a decommissioning programme. A CD-ROM is included containing details of the location, type and status of nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel cycle facilities and particle accelerators along with relevant associated data.

This publication presents the outcomes of a collaborative study to analyse the status of nuclear decommissioning activities around the world as of 2020. Future evolution of these activities was also considered. The information presented is based on responses to a questionnaire distributed to organizations with responsibility for planning, implementation and oversight of decommissioning programmes, with baseline information on the numbers and current operational status of nuclear facilities being extracted from the online nuclear facilities databases maintained by IAEA. Analysis of the collected data was undertaken at global and regional levels, rather than at the level of individual States or facility sites. The publication is intended primarily to be of use to individuals with policy responsibilities in the area of decommissioning and associated waste management activities, including government officials, regulators, facility manages and service providers.

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.