Tools and techniques used in US Department of Energy decommissioning programs

Since the decommissioning projects are located at various sites across the United States, a centralized technology transfer program was established to ensure that information on new technologies and techniques developed to support specific tasks is available to all contractors performing similar decommissioning work. This sharing of information avoids duplication of effort and helps to avoid the expenditure of resources on tools or techniques that are not cost effective. This article discusses several of the tools and techniques that have been successfully used for various tasks during the course of decommissioning nuclear facilities. Since decommissioning is labor-intensive work, tools and techniques that reduce either personnel radiation exposure or time required to perform a task are desirable. Other factors that are considered when selecting particular tools or techniques are waste volume reduction, recontamination avoidance, simplicity or operation, and avoiding introduction of large quantities of hazardous/toxic materials that may require special handling and disposal. Finally, the tool, depending on the intended work environment, must be cost effective, easily disposable or easily decontaminated for reuse