Decontamination and waste minimisation techniques in nuclear decommissioning

Decommissioning of redundant nuclear facilities requires judicious use of d econtamination either to reduce the radiation levels or to minimise the vol ume of radioactive waste produced when a facility is dismantled. A range of decontamination techniques is available, such as scabbling or pressure-jet washing. The choice of technique depends on individual circumstances. This paper describes the pros and cons of various decontamination techniques wh ich are available, giving examples from a number of successfully completed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority projects. It also considers instance s of novel applications where such practices have nor been so successful an d the lessons that have been learned.