Nuclear decommissioning

The term decommissioning of nuclear facilities ( as a synonym also: Decommissioning of English: Decommissioning Decommissioning = ) renames all the operations, pursue the aim of reducing the nuclear installation operation after completion ( " deconstruction ").

In the legal sense, the term used for the removal of an atom site from the Atomic Energy Act.

Types of decommissioning

The IAEA distinguishes three approaches to decommissioning:

• Immediate dismantling ( Immediate dismantling ): This variant allows a relatively timely decommissioning after the regular operation. Usually begin final dismantling or decontamination after a few months to years, depending on the system. After completion of the operation of the system can be used again, for example in conventional operation.
• Deferred dismantling ( safe enclosure ): In this approach, systems are switched off over a long period of time ( usually 40 to 60 years) closed until the radiation is decreased and will begin tasks of dismantling.
• Entombment (Permanent Safe enclosure ): In this variant, the radioactive material will always remain on the system and is collected on a part of the system. This is then poured in concrete, whereby the radiation exposure is reduced.

The IAEA indicates that the handling of decommissioning in the States is very different and that there are also mixed forms of the individual variants.

Situation for government

Germany

Among the nuclear facilities that can be shut down in Germany include power reactors, but also prototype and research reactors or plants for the nuclear fuel cycle and disposal.

If a nuclear power plant in Germany, and permanently, goes out of service, it is, as well as a research reactor, first off. This happens approval legally within the operating license and the state of the reactor is now called post-closure or shutdown operation.

To be shut down is required for nuclear plants in Germany a decommissioning license or dismantling license under the Atomic Energy Act § 7 paragraph 3. Need to obtain permission to make an application in the nuclear licensing authority and must give ample evidence of the operator, ie Submit papers on a variety of issues associated with their authority. To quote just a few examples: Perhaps a public consultation with stakeholders is required, in which the impacts of decommissioning and dismantling or safe enclosure are presented. To revise for example, also the operating manual, the testing manual, the emergency manual of the nuclear power plant and so on, which are adapted to the changed situations from now on. The review of thousands of pages takes many months. All these new documents can then check the authority of experts before, for possible changes and additions, an approval of the closure with secure enclosure or direct deconstruction. This may well take several years before a decommissioning license is granted, the nuclear power plant is considered the date of issue as Decommissioned. So far, so also the disconnected four nuclear power plants with boiling water reactors are: Brunsbuttel, Isar I, Phillipsburg and crumbs formally consume in operation and on the net, even when they are switched off and not generate electricity but which one. These nuclear power plants are located, to my knowledge within the operating license in the post.

In Germany after the shutdown of the plant is usually followed by the post-operational phase, will be removed in the eg fuel and Kernbrennstroffe. In the subsequent decommissioning the Federal Office for Radiation Protection are two strategies, the "direct reduction" and the " safe enclosure "; in addition there are mixed forms of both strategies. The direct deconstruction is usually preferred because, for example, can still be used on existing knowledge and experience. Objective of decommissioning is either the complete dismantling of the plant to the "green field " or any other use.

A mixed form of both decommissioning strategies is planned eg in nuclear power plant Greifswald ( Lubmin ): Installation parts for which you need qualified personnel should immediately dismantled, the buildings are, however, as long as allowed to stand in the " safe enclosure " until the radiation has decayed.

Of the 110 nuclear plants in Germany, taken 1957-2004 in operation, have been shut down about 21 from 37 commercial nuclear reactors for energy and 37 of 45 research reactors. From another 24 planned reactors, the construction was started at six reactors and partially canceled nearing completion (as of 2010, see List of nuclear reactors in Germany ).

Of those taken by the network during the nuclear phase-out in 2011 reactors Neckarwestheim I is the first reactor was started at the with the dismantling - in June 2012.

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, formerly the Nuclear Research Center Karlsruhe, is project support for research into the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Germany. In the Department of Water Technology and Waste ( PTCA WTE ) will be commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research ( BMBF) research and development projects for the Framework Programme of the Federal Government "Research for the Environment", the BMBF Framework Programme "Research for Sustainability" ( FONA ) as well as " sub -Day waste " and " decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities and radiation research " looked after. By the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi ) such projects are " focus of future R & D work at the disposal of radioactive waste " with financed on the basis of the support framework.

The Karlsruhe promoters Water Technology and Waste Management reported the two ministries also semi- annually on research and development projects for the disposal of hazardous waste in deep geological formations.

France

In France, over 60 nuclear plants were commissioned in 1956-2002. Since 1968, 13 nuclear power plants were shut down (see list of nuclear facilities in France).

Great Britain

In the UK, an estimated 45 nuclear power plants were commissioned in 1956-1995. Since 1977, 28 nuclear power plants were shut down (see List of nuclear reactors in the UK).