Decontamination and decommissioning technology development of nuclear facilities

The present project consists of three parts. In part I, dilute chemical decontamination processes developed up to date in foreign countries were reviewed and a recent trend was analysed. Decontamination for an entire primary coolant system of PHWR is in the stage of coomercialization and that of BWR is expected to be commercialized within next 2 years. On the other hand, recent applications of decontamination technology to PWR have been limited to steam generator channel head. But considering vital R and D activities, it is expected that decontamination for an entire primary coolant system of PWR will be commercialized in the near future. In part II, The effects of application sequence of KAERI decontamination process on oxide dissolution and on material integrity were examined on a laboratory scale. A procedure for the demonstration of KAERI decontamination process in steam generator channel head on a pilot scale was documented. KAERI decontamination process was effective in dissolving oxide and assured material integrity. And a performance of KAERI decontamination equipments was qualified. In 1988, it is scheduled to complete the demonstration of a whole KAERI decontamination processes with both simulated and in situ hot specimens. In part III, the status of decommissioning technology of nuclear facilities developed in foreign countries was reviewed. Decommissioning technology is in a beginning state of commercial application, And decommissioning projects are usually under the control of government. To decommission a domestic nuclear facilities with effectiveness, the followings are necessary: establishment of decommissioning regulation and technical criteria, development of decommissioning computer code, early introduction of decommissioning concept to the stage of design and construction, and development of remote handling technology. (Author)