Speaker
Description
There are large numbers of research reactors and many more small nuclear facilities utilizing radioactive material, some of which are coming to the end of their operating lives and will require decommissioning. These nuclear facilities were built in many States, and the extent of local nuclear experience varies widely. Although the radioactive source terms within research reactors and other small nuclear facilities are expected to be less in radioactive inventory than in larger facilities, small nuclear facilities may still pose significant radiological and other risks, due to ageing and other issues. Many Factors affecting the choice of decommissioning strategy such as: financial requirements, human resources, safety, security, spent fuel and waste management infrastructure limitations. Decommissioning of such nuclear facilities may be made more difficult due to limitations in the availability of the necessary resources. The resources required for decommissioning are varied in nature and go beyond simply numbers of people or amounts of available funding. This paper discusses the safety and security requirements during the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
Key Words: decommissioning, safety and security, radioactive waste
