IAEA Training Course @ Argonne

Practical Training Course on Planning and Implementation of Nuclear Facility Decommissioning and Remedation of Radioactively Contaminated Sites

13 - 24 April 2015

Purpose of the course

The primary objective of this training course is to provide implementing and regulatory organizations with a global understanding of the key aspects that need to be considered in the planning and implementation of Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Projects also presenting those aspects that can constrain or delay project implementation and discuss potential mechanisms that can help in overcoming these constraints.

Expected Output(s)

The course will enable the participants to understand the necessary infrastructure that must be put in place to carry on D&ER projects and the main activities involved in decommissioning and environmental remediation projects e.g. planning, management, cost estimate, site-characterization, post-remediation activities and institutional controls. This understanding will improve participants' managerial capabilities related to the planning and execution of these projects thus contributing to facilitating their implementation.

Scope and Nature

The course will take place over a two-week period, providing:

Lectures on key topics related to dismantling and demolition and, decontamination of facilities and remediation approaches to clean-up contaminated sites. (Week 1)
Interactive exercises to demostrate key concepts, methods and tools. (Week 2)

The course will be based on the elements covered by the Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards - General Safety Requirements GSR Part 3, IAEA Safety Guides WS-G3.1 (environmental remediation) and WS-G-2.4 (decommisioning) and other supporting technical documents Appropriate analytical and project management tools for the implementation and oversight, sound and cost-effective strategies in the fields of decommissioning and environmental remediation will be covered.

The course has been evolving for the last four years. Although its core contents are the same, new elements are added every year and more weight has been continuously given to exercises and demonstration events.

The training Modules in the first part of the course will be presented using a format based on the proven learning sequence of lecture-, video- and field- observation and discussion.

Over the two-week period the following topics will be addressed:

Policies and Strategies on D&ER and Regulatory Framework
Project planning, management, cost estimation and decision-making
Site and facility characterization, sampling, and analysis
Safety Assessment
Stakeholder involvement and risk communication
Data management
Technology selection and deployment, proven and emerging technologies and materials for environmental remediation and decommissioning
Site closure and long term stewardship
Other topics specifically of interest to each sub-group

In addition, the course will provide participants with details on IAEA networking opportunities, e.g. via the IAEA International Decommissioning Network (IDN) and Environmental Management and Remediation Network (ENVIRONET), their resources, and opportunities for assisting them.

It is anticipated that the course instructors will include staff from US organizations such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.