Decontamination and waste minimisation techniques in nuclear decommissioning

Decommissioning of redundant nuclear facilities requires judicious use of decontamination either to reduce the radiation levels or to minimise the volume 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 which are available, giving examples from a number of successfully completed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority projects. It also considers instances of novel applications where such practices have not been so successful and the lessons that have been learned.