Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

This publication contains the proceedings of the IAEA Technical Meeting on (TM) "The Decommissioning of Fast Reactors after Sodium Draining", hosted by CEA in Cadarache, France from 26 to 30 September 2005.

The objective of the TM was to provide a forum for in-depth scientific and technical exchange on topics related to the decommissioning experience with fast reactors, in particular with regard to the decommissioning of components after sodium draining. Accordingly, the scope of the meeting covered the review and analyses of the experience gained from the decommissioning of both active sodium loops and sodium cooled fast reactors (e.g. KNK II, Superphénix, RAPSODIE, EBR-II, FERMI, BN-350, BR-10).

The main focus of the TM was on the decommissioning of both active loop and reactor components (e.g. the primary vessel of a sodium-cooled reactor) that have been drained of sodium, but that still conserve some residual amounts of sodium (e.g. films covering the entire surface of the component, or particular sodium heels that cannot be drained).

At the beginning, Member States representatives presented national status reports. Then, the TM listened to 33 presentations structured in 5 sessions: Decommissioning and treatment process development; Reactor and facility decommissioning experimental feedback; SFR waste characterization and treatment; Reactor decommissioning strategy (1), and Reactor decommissioning strategy (2).

The results of the meeting are also a contribution to the Agency’s initiative to preserve fast reactor data and knowledge.