Decommissioning of the Nuclear Reactors R2 and R2-0 at Studsvik, Sweden. General Data as called for under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

This document describes the plans for decommissioning of the nuclear research and material test reactors R2 and R2-0, situated at the Studsvik site close to the city of Nykoeping, Sweden. The purpose of the document is to serve as information for the European Commission, and to fulfil the requirements of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty. Studsvik is situated on the Baltic coast, about 20 km east of Nykoeping and 80 km southwest of Stockholm. The site comprises the reactors R2 and R2-0 and several facilities for material investigation and radioactive waste treatment and storage. The reactors were used for a number of different purposes from 1960 until June 2005, when they were shut down following a decision by the operator. Decommissioning of the reactor facility is planned to be completed in 2016 after dismantling and conditioning of radioactive parts and demolition of the facility. Solid and liquid radioactive wastes from the dismantling activities will be treated and stored on-site awaiting final disposal. The waste treatment facilities, which are situated in other buildings at the Studsvik site, are planned to continue operation during and after the decommissioning of the reactor facility. All nuclear fuel has been transferred to a separate storage facility and is being shipped to the US according to existing agreements. The objective of the planned dismantling activities is to achieve clearance of the facility to make it possible to either demolish the buildings or use them for other purposes. The operator has divided the planning for dismantling and demolition of the facility into three phases [1]: Dismantling 1, including primary system decontamination, dismantling of the reactors with systems in the reactor pool, draining, cleaning and temporary covering of the reactor pool. This phase has begun and is due to last till approximately December 2009. Dismantling 2, including dismantling of systems in the reactor facility, removal of equipment, radiological surveys, removal of contaminated or activated parts of building structures, cleanup of contamination and clearance measurements of the buildings. This phase reaches from approximately January 2010 till June 2015. Demolition, including remediation after clearance of the facility. This phase reaches from approximately July 2015 till December 2016. Decommissioning of a nuclear reactor facility requires a license according to the Environmental Code (1998:808), A license for the full decommissioning project was issued on March 16, 2007 by the Environmental Court in Stockholm. According to the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate's Regulations (SKIFS 2004:1) concerning Safety in Nuclear facilities, a decommissioning plan shall be supplemented and incorporated in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) before the dismantling of the facility may be initiated. The revised SAR has been submitted in June 2007. After review, the SKI has pointed on several areas which need to be developed further before the SAR can be approved. According to the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority's Regulation (SSI FS 2002:4) on Planning for and during Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, the licensee shall submit a detailed report four months before dismantling and demolition of systems or facility parts containing radioactive materials. The report has been submitted to SSI in June 2007. The report, among other things, covers a time schedule, a review on chemical and toxic material in the facilities, induced activity, volumes and handling of radioactive waste, documentation, organisation, methods and equipment for demolition, discharge control and a preliminary estimate of the collective dose. After review, the SSI has pointed on several areas which need to be developed further before dismantling of the reactors may take place. From July 1, 2008, the tasks of the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (SKI) and the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI) have been taken over by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM), a new authority formed by a merge of SKI and SSI. As a consequence of this, the SSI and SKI regulations of decommissioning issues will be revised.