Decommissioning of Research Reactors at Brookhaven National Laboratory: Status, Future Options and Hazards

Three nuclear research reactors operated at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) during the period 1950-2000. The Graphite Research Reactor (BGRR) operated from 1950-1968, the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) from 1965-1996, and the Medical Research Reactor (BMRR) from 1959-2000. Decommissioning of the BGRR is under way. Limited decommissioning has occurred at the HFBR, and no decommissioning has occurred at the BMRR. This report describes the reactors, reviews the planning and status of their decommissioning, summarizes available knowledge about each reactor’s radioactive inventory and the associated risks, and reviews BNL’s management of decommissioning. Conclusions and recommendations are provided. This research was completed money allocated during Round 3 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/starfound/1001/thumbnail.jp

Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities for Research Reactors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory

It is the overall goal of the project to determine the environmental impacts of decontamination and decommissioning activities for research reactors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, STAR Foundation from East Hampton, NY contracted with the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research based in Heidelberg, Germany (IFEU) to provide a detailed technical analysis in collaboration with the Institute for Resource and Security Studies (IRSS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A focal point was the comparative assessment of various alternatives (i.e. current status, entombment and various types of decommissioning). Whereas efforts by IRSS centered on engineering questions, IFEU focused on public health impacts. This research was completed money allocated during Round 3 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/starfound/1000/thumbnail.jp