Decontamination processes and technologies in nuclear decommissioning projects

This chapter presents a brief overview of decontamination processes commonly used in nuclear decommissioning programmes as well as some emerging techniques, including the decontamination of metallic components and equipment, segmented metallic pieces and building surfaces mainly with regard to their reuse and recycling. A few decontamination processes for dose-reduction purposes are also described. Factors allowing the selection of the appropriate technology are listed and discussed. Specific examples from the decommissioning of the Belgian BR3 reactor are summarized. The lessons learned since decommissioning started in 1987, both early and more recent experience, are outlined as a basis for future applications of the decommissioning technologies.