The R²D² Project

The Research Reactor Decommissioning Demonstration Project: R²D²P

 

Background

Decommissioning is becoming of increased importance among the Agency’s Member States. There are over 200 research reactors that have either not operated for a considerable period of time and may never return to operation or, are close to permanent shutdown. Many of these reactors are in state of limbo since many countries do not have a decommissioning policy, expertise, or funds to effectively implement a decommissioning project. The Agency is receiving an increased number of requests from Member States covering all aspects of decommissioning.

In order to respond to this increased interest, the Agency is exploring new approaches that can be used to enhance the exchange of information and lessons learned between countries that have actual decommissioning experience and those whose decommissioning programmes are in the planning stage. One approach is to have national, regional or inter-regional training sessions and international conferences, but this does not provide “hands-on” experience to participants.

To help answer this perceived need, a new international demonstration project has been established involving a research reactor that has not yet begun the decommissioning process. This project would implement Agency safety standards and provide a model for future decommissioning projects.

Objectives

The objective of this initiative is to assist Member States in implementing the safe decommissioning of research reactors and to:

Scope

The project focus is decommissioning of a research reactor in Philippines with the early stages of decommissioning and includes all aspects of the process, from establishing a regulatory infrastructure for the regulatory body to the final release of the facility from regulatory control.

The project would not be used as a research and development platform for new technologies, rather, only commercially available technologies would be considered for incorporation into the decommissioning plan.

Approach

The project is to be carried out in two phases:

Phase 1 “Planning and Mobilisation” - Once the reactor is permanently shutdown, the facility will undergo the transition from operation to decommissioning. A transition plan for this purpose would be developed by the operator in parallel with the decommissioning plan. The Agency would assist the regulatory body in developing its capability to review the necessary approach being proposed by the operator and ensure international safety standards are being appropriately applied. Technical assistance will also be provided to the reactor operator/owner to help with the development of the safety documentation and supporting documents for the licensing process. This will include the preparation of a decommissioning plan that would be the basis for subsequent regulatory approval.

Phase 2 “Implementation of Strategy” - Once the transition plan has been implemented and the decommissioning plan has been approved by the regulatory body, the second phase of the project could begin. This would include the implementation of the strategy and involve the actual decontamination and dismantling activities. The facility would be used as a training facility for decommissioning activities and allow hands-on application of procedures for participants.

Workshops and training courses would be held at the facility, which would also be used as a teaching laboratory for the participants. It is anticipated that during major evolutions of the decommissioning process, groups of individuals from other countries would be cycled through the facility to obtain practical experience. Examples of this training might include providing assistance performing the characterization survey, perform decontamination activities using portable equipment, disassemble systems and equipment and package this material for storage or disposal, perform various types of radiation surveys including operational and final release surveys, allow regulatory officials to effectively overview activities, etc.

Activities and work plan

The project commenced in June 2006 and is expected to take about six years. The first phase is envisaged to include the development of the regulatory infrastructure and the planning activities.
The second phase which includes the actual decontamination and dismantling would be performed in the following forty months. It is anticipated that in 2006, draft regulations to incorporate decommissioning would be prepared and portions of the decommissioning plan would also be available for review. The decommissioning plan should be submitted to the regulatory authority by the end of 2007 and the regulations should be approved. This will allow implementation of the decommissioning. Planned Activities

Activities in 2006

Expected outcomes

The project is expected to capture lessons learned from the activities that will be performed and to make this information available to as many people as possible. At the end of the project, the following should be available:

Reports and documentation

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