Decommissioning uses different administrative and technical activities to remove or minimise the residual hazards in a facility after it is shut down. It therefore enables the safe reuse of the site as well as any buildings or parts of the facility for other nuclear, industrial or general purposes. In this blog, we’ll outline the different stages involved in the decommissioning process and highlight where to find any important information.  

So, what are the steps in the decommissioning process? The decommissioning process is a complex, multi-disciplinary process made up of different steps. These include: 

1. A detailed strategy
2. A well structured plan
3. Designs and operation

Luckily for us, the GOV.UK Environment Agency put together the decommissioning developed principles to clarify the process further.  

Keep reading to find out more about each stage of the process and how Thermac can help with your decommissioning needs. 

The 3 Steps in the Decommissioning Process 

Decommissioning refers to the administrative and technical actions taken to remove some or all of the regulatory controls from an authorised facility so that a site can be reused. This process involves:

• Planning 
• Physical and radiological characterisation 
• Facility and site contamination
• Dismantling 
• Materials management 

Planning and implementing a decommissioning project is a complex and multi-disciplinary process that requires timely and effective management. To help us understand the decommissioning process better, the government set up the decommissioning developed principles (DEDPs). Derived from national policy and international guidance for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, these principles relate to all sites and facilities where radioactive substances have been used but they can also be applied to smaller-scale, less hazardous sites. 

1. Strategy 

Before any decommissioning work takes place, each site should have a detailed strategy put in place. This strategy should be integrated with other relevant site strategies. Here is a list of factors to consider whilst developing your decommissioning strategy: 

• Stakeholder views need to be taken into account. 
• Include environmental assessment and optimisation process (alternatives are evaluated and compared in terms of their impact on worker safety, people and the environment, financial costs and other factors.)
• Time at which the decommissioning will take place (Preference is for prompt decommissioning.) 
• Timescales for the future operation, shutdown and decommissioning of all the facilities on a site.
• Proposed end-state for the site.
• Best available techniques to minimise waste, particularly by reusing equipment, facilities and buildings. 
• Demonstrate that appropriate financial arrangements have been made for decommissioning.
• Strategy should be updated and refined regularly. 

2. Planning 

As part of a facility’s initial authorisation, a decommissioning plan should be prepared to provide assurance that provisions are in place to cover the associated costs. Here is a list of factors to consider whilst creating your decommissioning plan: 

• Consistency with the decommissioning strategy for the site. 
• Decommissioning programmes should be included for each facility (including timings for key actions)
• Should describe the end-state for each facility and any interim states.
• Estimates of the types and quantities of wastes that will be generated during decommissioning.
• Specify the means of managing facility decommissioning wastes. 
• Include activities to make facilities passively safe before any period of care and maintenance. 
• Updates of facility decommissioning plans should take into account changes to the site decommissioning strategy. 

3. Design and Operation

Facilities should be designed, built and operated using the best available techniques to minimise the impacts on people and the environment of decommissioning operations. Designs should include: 

• Features to prevent contamination and limit its spread.
• Choices of materials. 
• Implications of decommissioning should be considered throughout the operating life of a facility.
• All appropriate steps should be taken to maximise the potential re-usability of plant, equipment and materials. 

Why Is Decommissioning Important?

Decommissioning is important because it shows how solving the problems of the past can positively influence the future. Here is a list of some of the main benefits: 

• Enabled huge progress (Particularly in the fields of safety, design and waste management.)
• Making new structures and power plants safer and easier to dismantle.
• Reduces the risks for human beings by removing high hazards from the environment. 

What Types of Facilities are Decommissioned? 

Here is a list of facilities that can be applied to the decommissioning process:

• Nuclear power plants 
• Research reactors 
• Spent fuel and radioactive waste stores
• Nuclear fuel cycle facilities 
• Research facilities used for industrial, medical or educational purposes

What Are The Challenges Associated With the Decommissioning Process? 

Before undergoing any kind of decommission work, it is important to consider the risks associated with this process. Here are some challenges associated with decommissioning: 

• Radiological risks
• Conventional industrial risks
• Risk of releasing radioactive substances into the environment 
• Can be a very expensive process (Financing provisions for decommissioning need to be established whilst the facility is operational.) 
• Many of the activities that make up the decommissioning process are unique because the situation at the facility is continuously changing. 

Decommissioning Products at Thermac 

Now that you know how the decommissioning process works, why not take a look at Thermac’s wide range of equipment used in decommissioning.

Whether it’s decommissioning power plants and petro-chemical sites or oil rigs and ships, we can offer whatever you need when it comes to decommissioning. Have a look at our decontamination units, dust suppression cannons and air pressure monitors. 

You’ll be pleased to know that we regularly supply blasting equipment to the decommissioning offshore industry to remove dust, corrosion and soluble salts. We also provide modular (panel shower) decontamination units for those working with hazardous materials on oil rigs. 

For more information, get in touch with our friendly team today.