Decommissioning and Decontamination Processes

This course will cover the various techniques available for the decommissioning and decontamination of nuclear facilities. After describing the challenges and operations involved in facility decommissioning, as well as the available measurement tools (imagers, gamma spectrometers, etc.), the available decontamination methods will be presented based on the nature of the objects to be decontaminated (conventional decontamination methods or methods using complex fluids). Several innovative techniques for decontaminating contaminated surfaces will be discussed (conventional decontamination methods, micellar solutions, gels, foams, and supercritical fluids).

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

The objective of this course is to address the challenges and procedures involved in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and to present the measurement tools used (imagers, gamma spectrometers, etc.). In addition, the course will describe the innovative processes available for carrying out the various stages of decontamination depending on the nature of the objects to be decontaminated (conventional decontamination processes, micellar solutions, gels, foams, supercritical fluids).

The Fuel Cycle: From Mine to Waste Management

Terminal Control

• The Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
  • Introduction, History, Key Players, Terminology
  • Protection of Workers and the Public: Exposure Regulations, Radiation Protection Zoning, Static and Dynamic Containment
  • Life Cycles of a Nuclear Facility: Fundamentals of French Regulations (Classification of Facilities—Various Decrees), Preparatory Operations for Shutdown, Decommissioning Levels
  • Waste Management: Categories of Nuclear Waste (Existing Disposal Pathways), Waste Studies (Definition of Waste Zoning—Reference Zoning, Operational Zoning)
  • INB Facilities to Be Decommissioned in France and Abroad: Reactors, Laboratories, and Fuel Cycle Plants; Decommissioning Strategies
  • Case Studies: Completed Projects
• Cutting tools for dismantling:
  • Characterization of Tools, Tool Families, and Examples of Tools
  • Comparison and Summary
  • Concrete Cutting
• Radiological Characterization and Inventory Tools Applied to Decommissioning
  • A Review of Radioactivity and Radiation-Matter Interactions
  • Imaging devices: gamma cameras, alpha cameras, R&D projects
  • Gamma-ray Spectrometry Measurements (CdTe Detectors – Projects – R&D)
  • Surface Inspections: Applications
  • Calculation codes (codes used - Associated characterization methods)
• Micellar solutions, gels, and foams: innovative processes for the radiological decontamination of solids
  • Introduction: Radiological Decontamination, Objectives, and Definitions
  • Objectives of Solid Decontamination and General Principles
  • Conventional Solid Decontamination Processes
  • New Decontamination Methods Using Complex Fluids
• Micellar solutions for degreasing metals
• ASPIGELS Gels: self-drying, crack-forming gels for large, flat surfaces (metals, concrete, etc.)
• GELIFOAM foams: static gel foams for the bulk decontamination of large, complex-shaped volumes; flotation foams for soil decontamination; MONA foam for the destruction of sodium.
• Outlook

Administrative contact(s): Chemistry Master's Program Office

Master's in Chemistry @ umontpellier.fr