Remediation and Decommissioning Technology

Transcription

1 Remediation and Decommissioning Technology Program Description Program Overview Nuclear power plant operations can lead to releases of radionuclides into the site soil and groundwater that may need to be remediated to prevent off-site migration or to meet decommissioning and license termination criteria. Due to the unique nature of radiological risks, the physical characteristics of some radionuclides, and the relatively low levels of contamination that result from nuclear power plant operations, innovative technologies and methods need to be applied for radiological remediation, decontamination, and decommissioning. Furthermore, nuclear power plant decommissioning requires expertise in safe industrial dismantling and demolition, nuclear power plant operations, radiation protection, radiological characterization, environmental protection, radwaste management, and other specialized disciplines. For both radiological remediation and nuclear power plant decommissioning, lessons learned from previous projects can be applied to the planning and execution of current and future projects to increase safety, reduce waste, minimize environmental impacts, and manage costs. The application of advanced technologies can further enhance remediation and decommissioning results. The Remediation and Decommissioning Technology Development program provides a structured approach for capturing lessons learned from remediation and decommissioning efforts and incorporating them into generic guidance for the entire nuclear plant fleet. The program also evaluates, demonstrates, and develops technologies that address the unique challenges related to remediation and decommissioning. These challenges include preventing off-site migration of contaminated groundwater, transitioning the plant and staff from operation to decommissioning, and executing and developing plans for license termination, plant demolition, systems removal, and radioactive waste disposal. Research Value The Remediation and Decommissioning Technology program develops guidance and technologies that can assist in the safe, cost-effective decommissioning of a nuclear power plant. Program participants gain access to the following: Data and information leading to safe decommissioning with lower risks Enhanced planning tools to guide remediation and decommissioning Lessons learned from remediation and decommissioning activities at other plants Application results from the use of advanced technologies Guidance on unresolved issues in groundwater and soil protection and remediation, low-level waste management, site characterization, radiation dose modeling for site release, and license termination plans Approach The Remediation and Decommissioning Technology program evaluates industry practices to distill generic guidance that nuclear plant owners can incorporate into remediation and decommissioning plans. Participants use lessons-learned reports and advanced technologies to minimize downstream impacts from nuclear plant operation on decommissioning and to establish and implement efficient remediation and decommissioning programs at plant sites. Participants also enhance technology transfer through participation in Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) groundwater protection and decommissioning workshops and plant-specific decommissioning support meetings. p. 1

2 Archive experience and lessons learned related to remediation and decommissioning regulations and technology Assess strategies for operating plants that could minimize subsequent site contamination and waste generation during decommissioning Identify critical elements associated with developing and maintaining an effective decommissioning plan Evaluate options for disposing wastes from decommissioning plants Develop and demonstrate advanced technologies and improved methodologies for remediation and decommissioning The Remediation and Decommissioning Technology program is a supplementally funded activity. Accomplishments The Remediation and Decommissioning Technology program supports activities to operate nuclear power plants to prevent off-site migration of groundwater contamination, minimize impacts on decommissioning, and to safely and cost-effectively remediate and decommission nuclear power plant sites. EPRI has archived best practices, lessons learned, and technology experiences ranging from decommissioning planning and execution to final site release and license termination. This information is available through technical reports and through direct interaction with remediation and decommissioning experts. Documented information about how different aspects (such as remediation and radioactive waste) of decommissioning have impacted nuclear power plant decommissioning projects. Explored advanced technologies for soil and groundwater remediation being implemented at government facilities for applicability to nuclear power plant soil and groundwater remediation. Evaluated the use of in-situ gamma spectroscopy for characterizing potential radionuclide contamination of soil, concrete, and bedrock prior to site release. Developed guidance on program change management during decommissioning. The guidance defines decommissioning in terms of a sequence of major milestones and then identifies the plant programs, associated plans and actions, and staff for each milestone. Developed decommissioning pre-planning and planning guidance reports and waste management software tools. Compiled decommissioning experience reports on decommissioning projects: Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee, Rancho Seco, San Onofre, and Jose Cabrera. Compiled decommissioning experience reports on reactor vessel and internal segmentation, concrete radiological characterization and remediation, final status survey and license termination, and groundwater protection. Current Year Activities Remediation and Decommissioning program research and development for 2013 will focus on continued collection and evaluation of industry remediation and decommissioning experience to derive effective guidance for future plant decommissioning efforts. It also will seek to develop innovative technologies for soil and groundwater remediation for radiological contamination. Project topics may include the following: Compile experience and guidance for managing radioactive wastes at nuclear power plants Evaluate software tools to facilitate characterization and final status of decommissioning nuclear power plant sites Investigate technologies for remediation of tritium, cesium-137, cobalt-60 and other radionuclides for soil and groundwater Analyze reactor vessel and internals for trace impurities and radionuclides Demonstrate innovative techniques for removing irradiated graphite from gas-cooled reactors Estimated 2013 Program Funding 0.7 million Remediation and Decommissioning Technology - Program p. 2

3 Program Manager David Perkins, , Summary of Projects Project Number Project Title Description P Remediation and Decommissioning Technology (supplemental) The EPRI Decommissioning Technology Development project provides technical support and technology development for costeffective, safe, and environmentally sound decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Remediation and Decommissioning Technology - Program p. 3

4 Remediation and Decommissioning Technology (supplemental) (052386) Key Research Question Radiological remediation and nuclear power plant decommissioning are important for returning land and water to conditions suitable for future use by members of the public. Nuclear power plant operations can lead to releases of radionuclides into the site soil and groundwater that may need to be remediated in order to prevent off-site migration or to meet decommissioning and license termination criteria. Due to the unique nature of radiological risks, the physical characteristics of some radionuclides, and the relatively low levels of contamination that result from nuclear power plant operations, innovative technologies and methods need to be applied for radiological remediation, decontamination, and decommissioning. Furthermore, nuclear power plant decommissioning requires expertise in safe industrial dismantling and demolition, nuclear power plant operations, radiation protection, radiological characterization, environmental protection, radwaste management, and other specialized disciplines. In both areas of radiological remediation and nuclear power plant decommissioning, applying lessons learned and experiences from previous projects to the planning and execution of current and future projects will provide opportunities to optimize costs, increase safety, and reduce waste and impact on the environment. Advanced technologies will further enhance remediation and decommissioning results. Approach This project assists members in minimizing the cost and risks of remediation and decommissioning through enhanced planning, applying lessons learned from other plants, and using advanced technology. Guidance is developed on unresolved issues in low-level waste management, site characterization, radiation dose modeling for site release, and license termination plans. Key project objectives include addressing soil and groundwater remediation needs due to inadvertent leaks and spills during operations, minimizing radioactive wastes generated from remediation and decommissioning activities, and executing cost effective and safe decommissioning so that the site can be re-used by the public or the utility. Best practices, lessons learned, experiences, and recommendations are documented in EPRI technical reports. This information also is available to members through direct interactions with decommissioning and remediation experts at technical workshops and through site-specific member support. As new technologies are developed to address challenges from past remediation and decommissioning projects and as new technical challenges create the need for new technologies, EPRI works with technology vendors and utilities to evaluate, develop, and demonstrate technologies for application at nuclear power plants. Impact The successful remediation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants demonstrate responsible management of the site environment and of a nuclear power plant's complete life cycle. Successful remediation and decommissioning projects are cost-effective, safe, minimize waste, and minimize impact on the environment, while increasing public acceptance and support for nuclear power. Potential benefits include the following: Access to experience and lessons learned related to decommissioning regulations and technology Reduced costs in developing and maintaining an effective remediation and decommissioning plan Reduced costs associated with disposing wastes from remediation and decommissioning projects Reduced implementation costs for advanced technologies How to Apply Results Members implement advanced technologies at sites for enhanced remediation and decommissioning results. Members use lessons-learned reports and advanced technologies to establish and implement efficient decommissioning programs at plant sites. Members also enhance technology transfer through participation in EPRI groundwater protection and decommissioning workshops and plant-specific support meetings. Plantspecific support meetings allow members to tailor technical support to site-specific concerns. Remediation and Decommissioning Technology - Program p. 4

5 2013 Products Product Title & Description Software for the Collection and Analysis of Site Characterization and Final Status Survey Data to Show Compliance with Site Release: This project will develop a technical basis for software tools that can be used to manage and analyze data for nuclear power plant remediation or decommissioning final status survey. Existing technologies will be explored and recommendations for new technologies will be developed. Waste Management for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants: This technical report will document methods, strategies, technologies, and experiences related to radioactive waste management at nuclear power plants. The information in this report can be used to develop waste management plans that will help decommissioning nuclear power plant waste managers make informed decisions on how to reduce radioactive waste disposal volumes and costs. Planned Completion Date Product Type 12/20/13 Technical Report 12/20/13 Technical Report Remediation and Decommissioning Technology - Program p. 5