Grappling with Graphite

In the frame of the TACIS Nuclear Safety program the European Commission sponsored a 24 months project defined together with Concern Energoatom (previously Rosenergoatom) and aiming at helping the nuclear plant operator improving its capabilities in the specific field of plant decommissioning. The 2 year project named R2.04/03 started in July 2006 and ended in July 2008. It was included in the TACIS Action program 2003. The selected Consortium was composed of Electricité de France (EdF, France) and Energiewerke Nord GmbH (EWN, Germany). Part of the work was subcontracted to VNIIAES (All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Nuclear Power Plant Operation, Russian Federation). In a previous NEI issue (January 2009) one significant output of the project namely the decommissioning cost assessment of Novovoronezh 1&2 (two VVER reactors 265 and 336 MWe), based on the EWN¿s experience has been addressed. Another important task was devoted to graphite management issue. Terms of reference of the project asked the selected consortium to provide for experience feedback regarding dismantling of large irradiated graphite structures as well as long-term storage of large quantities of irradiated graphite pieces. A three days devoted seminar with visiting tour at the Bugey 1 decommissioning site has been organised with the aim of discussing dismantling programs for graphite moderated reactors, characterisation, packaging and repository as well as specific treatment required for graphite polluted by spent fuel as a result of past accidents. Recommendations have been issued and specifically discussed during a final workshop.

BRUYNOOGHE Christiane;  BIETH Michel; 

2009-03-10

WILMINGTON PUBL

JRC49649

0029-5507,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC49649,