Prioritisation

Overview and methodology

There are a number of sites in Iraq which have been used for nuclear activities and which contain potentially significant amounts of radioactive material. The principal nuclear site is Al-Tuwaitha, the nuclear research centre which contains 18 facilities and radwaste locations, including research reactors, hot cells and waste treatment and storage facilities. There are a further nine sites identified in the country which mainly processed uranic material. Many of these sites suffered substantial physical damage during the Gulf Wars and have been subjected to subsequent looting. All require decommissioning in order to ensure both radiological and non-radiological safety.

However, it is not possible to undertake the decommissioning of all sites and facilities at the same time. A prioritisation methodology has therefore been developed in order to aid the decision-making process. The process comprises three principal stages of assessment:

The output from this methodology has robustly identified and consistently ranked a group of Al-Tuwaitha facilities (including the two research reactors, the radiochemistry laboratory, the waste treatment station and the Russian silo facility) with the highest risk, followed by a middle ranking grouping of Al-Tuwaitha facilities and some other sites, and a relatively large group of lower risk facilities and sites. However, the initial order of priority for undertaking dismantling and decommissioning work has crucially been influenced by some of the Other Modifying Factors. In particular, given Iraq’s isolation from the international nuclear community over the last two decades and the lack of experienced personnel, there is a need to build experience, expertise and confidence before intervening in the higher risk facilities. Given that no urgent and imminent escalation of risks have been identified, it is therefore appropriate to initiate decommissioning operations on selected low risk facilities at Al-Tuwaitha in order to build capacity and prepare for work to be carried out in more complex and potentially high hazard facilities in due course.

Current work programme

The current prioritised work programme therefore consists of the following activities:

  1. Dismantling and decommissioning of the LAMA facility at Al-Tuwaitha. There is an expectation that there is very low contamination and hence low volumes of active waste. This project will allow the development of decommissioning experience and expertise within a relatively safe environment
  2. Decommissioning of the Geo-pilot Plant in the Geological Survey Institute in Baghdad. This is a relatively small research-type rig with some uranium contamination
  3. Preparation of oversight and contingency plans for liquid wastes at Al-Tuwaitha. These liquid wastes represent the greatest potential hazards to the environment, and although they are believed to be adequately contained at the moment it is nonetheless necessary to assess the options for stabilising and treating this waste so that appropriate action can be taken on the shortest timescale in the event of evidence of containment failure
  4. Controlling the scrap material at Al-Tuwaitha. This project will monitor, sort, release where appropriate, and provide for interim storage of any contaminated material
  5. Dismantling and decommissioning of the Italian Isotope Production Plant at Al-Tuwaitha. This project will continue the enhancement of decommissioning experience on a slightly more contaminated facility

The above programme will form the basis of the initial hands-on work, and will provide a good basis for building expertise and capability. During the period taken to complete this work the next phase of work will be developed, taking account of the experience gained to date, the prioritisation methodology and the information from the developing decommissioning and waste management strategy and plan.

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