THE DECOMMISSIONING PROJECTS OF THE KARLS RUHE RESEARCH-CENTER

The Division of the Karlsruhe Research Center (FZK) charged with decom missioning nuclear installations is in the process of decommissioning the FR-2 research reactor, the Karlstein Superheated Steam Reactor (HD R), the Niederaichbach Nuclear Power Station, the Compact Sodium-coole d Reactor (KNK), the Multi-purpose Research Reactor (MZFR), and the Ka rlsruhe Reprocessing Plant (WAK). For decommissioning the FR-2, the va riant chosen includes safe confinement of the reactor unit and demolit ion of most of the ancillary buildings. In June 1996, the third partia l permit was granted for decommissioning the HDR; recultivation work t o greenfield conditions is to be finished by 1998. On the Niederaichba ch site, green field conditions were established in August 1995. The K NK will be put into safe confinement as a first step. The MZFR is to b e removed completely by 2004. Decommissioning the WAK also includes th e disposal of some 80 m(3) of liquid high-level waste. The Karlsruhe V itrification Plant will be built in order for this step to be carried out on the premises. The WAK site will be restored to green field cond itions by 2010.