Advancing Implementation of Nuclear Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Programmes

Significant progress has been achieved in recent years in terms of addressing the legacies from the early development of nuclear energy, including the decommissioning of redundant research and fuel cycle facilities, research reactors and power plants, and the remediation of sites affected by past uranium mining and processing operations. Some countries are moving forward with dealing with these legacies, and accordingly have built up appropriate technical resources and expertise, but many national programmes still face very significant challenges. However some factors constraining progress in addressing legacies from the past remain.There is for that reason a need to better understand the global situation and to analyse the barriers impeding the implementation of decommissioning and environmental remediation programmes, with the aim of outlining actions that may improve current situations where progress is impaired. The IAEA 'CIDER' project was launched in March 2013 in support of these objectives and with the support of other international organisations, particularly the European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The present document aims to support the development of adequate policies in IAEA Member States for decommissioning and environmental remediation, addressing in essence the following three fundamental questions: - What are the motivations for implementing decommissioning and environmental remediation? - What are the main constraints hindering progress of decommissioning and environmental remediation programmes? - What are the solutions for overcoming these constraints, taking account of experience from programmes under implementation? This document, prepared in close collaboration with the IAEA, makes concise yet comprehensive proposals in answer to those questions, drawn from the results of a global survey performed in advance of the CIDER project and on the more extensive analysis provided in the CIDER project report, which was elaborated by expert groups from IAEA Member States.JRC.A.4-Nuclear Safety and Securit

DONA Detector: Further Improvements and Evaluation for Field Applications

The DONA neutron spectrometer concept is based on the measurement of neutron induced activity in a series of small metal disks that have been exposed to a neutron field. The induced activity is measured and the neutron spectrum is calculated using and unfolding technique, based on environmental neutron spectra. The novelty of the approach lies in the concept as such, including usage of carefully selected metal disks arranged in a holder, high performance gamma-ray spectrometry and spectrum unfolding using a library of environmental neutron spectra. This report covers the IRMM exploratory research prolongation project for 2006 and now environmental neutron fields with considerably lower neutron fluence rates are used. The result shows that after further refinement of the detector device and the data evaluation program the detector can very well be used for environmental neutron fluence measurements. Tests were done at PTB, Germany, using their calibrated neutron source and at the MOX fuel fabrication plant Belgonuclearire in Mol, Belgium.JRC.D.4-Isotope measurement

Education and Training in Nuclear Decommissioning - Needs, Opportunities and Challenges for Europe

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities is an industrial activity that is growing worldwide, creating job opportunities and requiring skilled workers. Over the last decades, European companies have been involved in decommissioning projects that are targeted at delivering an environmentally friendly end-product such as a fully restored green field site that can be released from regulatory control. European companies have acquired know-how and today Europe can position itself at the top level in the world decommissioning market. However, in view of the expected expansion of the activities, efforts are necessary to maintain this leading position and, in particular, to ensure and share the underpinning knowledge, skills and competences. In this perspective, the University of Birmingham in association with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre have organised a joint seminar to address the following questions in relation to education and training in nuclear decommissioning: - What are the competence needs for the future? - What are the education and training opportunities? - How can we stimulate interest and future talent? In answering these questions the seminar has given orientations for stimulating the development, coordination and promotion of adequate education and training programmes at EU level in nuclear decommissioning.JRC.A.4-Nuclear Safety and Securit

Decommissioning Projects of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Section 5.2.1 Ethical, legal and social issues in preparedness and response planning

Büscher, M. (2017) In Wilkinson, E., Peters, K., Büscher, M., Fearnley, C., Helsloot, I., Twigg, J. Chapter 5. Disaster Risk Management, Section 5.2 Preparedness and Response Planning. Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre Report. Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre http://drmkc.jrc.ec.europa.e

Validation of a Method for Neutron Dosimetry and Spectrometry Using Neutron Activation of Metal Discs

A technique for neutron dosimetry and spectrometry base don neutron activation of different metal discs has been studied. After exposure to a neutron field the activated radionuclides in the discs are detected using low-level-gamma-ray spectrometry and the neutron spectrum is obtained using a spectrum unfolding technique. In order to validate the method an irradiation was performed in a well-characterized252Cf neutron reference field. Furthermore, the detector was used to determine the neutron fluence rate and spectrum at a storage place for MOX nuclear fuel. The results of the two measurements are reported and discussed.JRC.D.4-Nuclear physic

Neutron Field Measurements for Alara Purposes around a Van de Graaff Accelerator Building.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

MANAGEMENT OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL AND ITS WASTE

A report has been prepared jointly by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), which aims to inform policy makers on important issues to take into consideration in developing national programmes for the future management of spent fuel and the waste generated by fuel treatment. The report describes the options for spent fuel management, their present state of development, and the consequences of choices between them, as well as important issues for national programmes to take into consideration in order to implement Directive 2011/70/EURATOM. The report discusses in a synthetic way: - the need for a national policy; - the fuel cycles to consider; - the decision factors in fuel cycle choice; - experience with the involvement of stakeholders in decision-making; and - the key decisions to be taken and their consequences. To inform preparation of the report, a seminar was held in February 2013 to get the views of an international group of experts on the challenges associated with different strategies to manage spent nuclear fuel, in respect of both open cycles and various steps towards closing the nuclear fuel cycle. The report integrates the conclusions of the seminar, which considered issues of sustainability, non-proliferation, safety, organisational and economic factors, and public involvement.JRC.A.4-Nuclear Safety and Securit

Neutron Fluence Spectrometry Using Disk Activation

A simple and robust detector for spectrometry of environmental neutrons has been developed. The technique is based on neutron activation, i.e. the activation of a series of different metal disks followed by gamma-ray spectrometry of the activated disks and subsequent neutron spectrum unfolding. It is a technique similar to the foil activation but now applied to low neutron fluence rates. The detector has been tested in quasi mono-energetic neutron fields where the obtained spectra showed good agreement with spectra measured using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. The detector has also been tested by means of an AmBe source and, again, a good agreement with the assumed spectrum was achieved. Low-level and ultra-low level gamma spectrometry allowed for the measurements of very low neutron fluences with detection limits for fast neutrons in the order of 10 s-1 cm-2.JRC.D.5-Neutron physic