1. Decommissioning Nuclear Reactors

2. Background • Before a company decides to close it’s power reactors the facility must be put in to a state that it no longer has a residual radioactive level, a clean up of all radioactive contaminated systems and structures, and the removal of radioactive fuel.

3. Decommissioning Strategies • There are three main strategies to decommission a nuclear facility. The first, being the fastest, is known as DECON (Decommission). This is the immediate dismantlement of the facility and all parts of said facility are decontaminated to a safe level.

4. Safe Storage • The second type is SAFSTOR, it takes longer than DECON and in this a nuclear facility is monitored until the radioactivity decreases to a level that allows the facility to be dismantled without decontamination requirements. Essentially storing the materials until deemed safe enough for removal.

5. Entombing • The final type is ENTOMB. • As the word suggests, this is where the structure become permanently encased by a material that would prevent the leaking of radioactive materials. Once the radioactive material decays to be considered harmless the property is released.